Perth Voice Interactive

Two for one?

THE recent advertising of a job at the City of Vincent is an interesting insight as to how the organisation is functioning, and the sort of money you can get in local government.

In October 2022 the director of community and business services left Vincent, but the position was not advertised.

Eight months later the council approved a budget which included $343,000 for “employee costs” for the director’s position for the next year – presumably the costs of the director and an executive assistant.

Some nine months later I noticed that the position had not been filled, but the budget had not been adjusted as part of the budget review.

To me it looked like a case of padding the budget.

So I asked some questions, and was told that the position was not vacant, and to look at the city’s organisation structure.

I did, and blow me down, the CEO was acting in the position.

So I asked some more questions.

The city did confirm that the CEO was not receiving any more payment for doing the extra job, and was told that the fact that the CEO was able to do the second job without spending any material time on it reflected the maturity of the organisation.

And also, no, they had not adjusted the budget to reflect the fact the position was vacant for about 18 months.

Fair enough, but then suddenly, and possibly by sheer coincidence, the position was filled in an acting capacity by one of the managers. 

So, vacant for 18 months, then suddenly filled just after I asked some questions.

So what’s it worth?

As I write this, the position is being advertised at a package in the range of $235,000 to $273,000. 

This includes 15.5 per cent super, a car, and possibly five weeks annual leave like the rest of the Vincent employees – yes, they get five weeks leave.

Interestingly, Vincent continually rewards their staff with a car, but tries to encourage the community to catch the bus – do as I say, not as I do.

Not bad for a position that was not substantially filled for 18 months because the organisation was so mature it did not need it to be filled.

What’s changed?

Dudley Maier
Highgate