Ballina Shire Council will this week revisit its councillor expenses policy for the third time this year, after the Greens lodged a rescission motion to overturn a decision allowing limited alcohol at official functions and post-meeting gatherings.

The issue was last debated at the August council meeting, when councillors voted to amend the policy to include alcohol as part of “appropriate refreshments” following a motion from Cr Phil Meehan.

The change passed with majority support, though the Greens’ Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Simon Chate voted against it.

The new rescission motion, led by Greens councillors, seeks to reverse that decision.

They argue that, at a time when residents are facing higher rates through a special rate variation, it is inappropriate for ratepayers to cover the cost of councillors’ drinks.

Cr Karsten said the move was about principle, not cost.

 “With people struggling under rate rises and cost-of-living pressures, I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask them to fund councillors’ alcohol,” she said.

 “Younger generations in particular don’t see alcohol as central to work or professional life anymore.

“If councillors want a drink, we can easily pay for it ourselves.”

Cr Chate, who does not drink, suggested the change would lead to an open-ended  ratepayer-funded bar tab.

“That disadvantages non-drinkers like me and risks reinforcing old stereotypes about politics and alcohol. I don’t believe it’s the right look,” he said.

‘A normal part of civic life’

Independent councillors told Balliina News Daily that the Greens are being less about principle and more about publicity, reviving a debate already settled in August with overwhelming  support. 

They say the general public was not aware of the long hours worked by councillors for a very small allowance, not on par with paid politicians at other levels of government.

Cr Meehan, who brought the amendment, told the August meeting that his aim was to restore a practice long accepted as part of civic life. 

 “After a full day’s meeting, which usually follows two days of preparation, I don’t see anything wrong with councillors sitting down together, sharing a glass of wine or a beer, and debriefing,” he said.

 “This isn’t about excess – it’s about collegiality and goodwill.

“Many councils across the state do it, and our community sees it as perfectly normal.”

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader backed that view, saying she had been put in “embarrassing situations” when alcohol was singled out on expenses.

 “It’s demeaning. At the end of the day, councillors put in long hours for their community. I honestly don’t think people begrudge us a drink as part of that,” she said.

 “This isn’t about an open bar – it’s about a small gesture of thanks and rapport-building.”

Cr Michelle Bailey said alcohol should be seen as no different to other catering costs.

“A cheese platter and a bottle of wine after a meeting is not unreasonable,” she said.

 “It’s about team cohesion and being able to debrief together.”

Cr Therese Crollick agreed, saying councillors were very conscious of how their behaviour was judged by the public.

“I think most of us are responsible enough and adult enough to limit our alcohol intake at functions, particularly when we’re in public, it’s never a good look for a public official to be seen to be under the influence.

“I think most of us would have one drink. We’re not going to be caught getting DUI post a council meeting. God forbid!”

‘More about optics than impact’

General Manager Paul Hickey told the August meeting the financial impact of allowing alcohol would be negligible in the context of council’s overall budget.

A staff report prepared for the latest discussion says the majority of councils do allow limited drinks after meetings.

Some councillors suggested the repeated focus risks generating negative publicity of councillors at the expense of balance.

While the Greens insist it is a matter of principle, others say the push risks painting colleagues unfairly as drunken, frivolous or wasteful, when in reality the sums involved are minor along with the consumption of alcohol.

The rescission motion will go before Thursday’s monthly council meeting.