In recognition of councillors: the (in)adequacy of remuneration (during the COVID pandemic) in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Fair and equal pay are basic principles determining appropriate remuneration. Yet expectations that locally elected representatives are motivated by community service justify token compensation. This article presents data from a survey of councillors in New South Wales about the adequacy of current remuneration against the expectations and time commitment of the role. It finds: the majority of councillors feel under-compensated for the time they devote to the role; some councillors had unmanageable workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, and; variations in pay scales across local government areas only partially correspond with differences in volume and complexity of work. Most critically, low pay directly impacts the quality of representation by curtailing the hours councillors can commit to council work. The article argues that ‘recognition’ needs to be a core principle in determining councillor pay. Current levels both under-recognise what local elected representatives do, and the importance of local government for democracy. 公平平等的付费是合理酬劳的基本原则。地方选举的代表的动力在于社区服务，这样的期待使得票据补偿合理化。本文就该期待对新南威尔士政务官员作了调查，了解他们认为目前的酬劳是否配得上他们投入工作的时间。研究发现，大多数政务官员认为他们在角色上投入的时间，并未得到相应的回报。一些人在新冠疫情期间超负荷工作，而地方政府酬付的变化并不能完全对应工作量和复杂程度。最关键的是，低酬通过压缩政务官员行政的时间直接影响到代表性的质量。作者指出，“承认”应该成为确定政务官员酬付的核心原则。目前的酬付水平低估了地方选举官员的工作，也低估了地方政府对于民主政治的重要性。 Show more