VICTORIAN Nationals leader Peter Walsh has slammed the burden on ratepayers to foot a $1335 daily rate for municipal monitors in Victoria, among them Strathbogie Shire Council's new monitor Marg Allan. Mr Walsh, who is also opposition spokesperson for local government, said council monitors were “a growth industry built on poor governance and mistrust”. “There have been more than 25 local council monitor appointments since 2020. Monitors on top of the usual administrative costs has become an expensive exercise for ratepayers,” he said. “Clearly, Labor has no faith in [mandated councillor] training, as it has opted for direct state-control. “Labor can’t manage money and ratepayers are paying the price.” The Victorian councils dismissed in the previous term have been assigned monitors to keep an eye on councillors, which according to the government will help prevent the recurrence of issues that led to the dismissal or suspension of each council. The State Government said the $1335 day-rate reflects the expertise and experience necessary to perform the role. A report delivered to the government by past monitor Peter Stephenson said the previous council's issues rested "predominantly with the councillors". In a letter to this masthead in September, now-councillor Greg Carlson asked: "Why does the minister not have the confidence in the community's ability to elect a responsible, functioning council?" The State Government was invited to respond to a Gazette editorial in September posing a similar question, but never responded.
