TGU: Trawling for results as counting continues

This week on TGU, the panel attempts to pull together interim results from the Victorian council elections; strike action mooted at Greater Geelong council; a council’s concerns about a fast tracked planning decision; and Rhys Thomas unpacks the detail of Victoria’s new governance and integrity regulations.

[@peterhoz]

Looking at Geelong's published budgets, 2021-22 v 2024-25, total HR expenditure increased 10.82%, average per FTE increased 10.48%. Rates income excluding charges & interest (but including rebates & waivers) increased 17.58%. 17.58% forecast income vs 10.82% forecast HR expenditure. Maybe these should be more closely aligned rather than underestimating by using the cap on the average rate which makes no allowance for growth, yet the growth is included in the income. Geelong's annual forecast total rate increase (excluding charges & interest) was 4.71%, 6.69% & 5.25%, showing how using the cap on the average to limit wages is a mathematically incorrect comparison. It is akin to the "income averaging" argument used to justify robodebt. It is a flawed proposition. Note I'm not comparing the outcomes to the illegal robodebt, just pointing out that the use of averages (ie the cap) is not accurate.

[@grahamjolly7031]

Who would want to be a new councillor not knowing the details prior to the election about the new code of conduct rules.

[@grahamjolly7031]

You should look at the number of people living in a shire and then the number of registered voters. Registered voters in holiday locations are lower. A number of voters never received the ballot pack in the Bass Coast. A council administration error was admitted by council.

[@peterhoz]

24:28 The rate cap is a cap on the average rate, after supps. It is not a cap on total rate income. Staff wages have been significantly below inflation lately. Councillors and state/federal politicians have had their pay increase by more than what council staff have. Staff copped the rate cap thing for the last few years, but maybe councils need to look at the % of total rate income rather than the average rate cap. Staff work harder as councils grow esp as staff resources don't get adjusted. And that needs to be reflected in pay adjustments. Federal treasury and the RBA expect "real wages" to grow, so with a rate cap councils need to include revenue growth in their EBA calcs, not the headline cap as it is misleading.

[@grahamjolly7031]

In the Bass Coast the sub branch of the Labour Party put out how to vote and who not to vote for. This is how money flows with political backing. Melbourne Labour Party denied involvement and wrong doing. Leticia Laing has won the third position. She is an ex sub branch secretary.

[@peterhoz]

The comments made by the presenter re the cap vs total income are mathematically inaccurate.