Council ‘medal’ backing

Kim Waters
A GEELONG council push for a medal honouring long-serving councillors has won the backing of Victoria’s peak municipal body.
Municipal Association of Victoria has resolved to ask Federal Government to approve the controversial medal for councillors who have served 12 or more years.
The MAV resolved at its October meeting to request that Federal Government, through Minister for Local Government Simon Crean, “promulgate” the long service medal.
The MAV resolution said the award would be known as the local government or public service medal under the Australian honours system.
The Independent revealed in September that Geelong council had contacted the MAV suggesting the medal for councillors.
The medal request, which Councillor Stretch Kontelj initiated with the support of council, drew criticism from South Barwon Labor MP Michael Crutchfield.
He labelled the medal push “outrageous and self serving”, saying councillors should concentrate on their jobs rather than “unwarranted” honours.
“Just because a councillor is there for three terms does not mean they’ve made a reasonable contribution to the community,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“I suggest Stretch downloads something from the internet and puts it on a piece of cardboard if he wants an award for himself.”
Cr Kontelj hit back, calling Mr Crutchfield “hypocritical” for denying councillors the medal while trying to board the parliamentary pension gravy train.
Cr Kontelj said Mr Crutchfield was desperate to retain his seat at the November 27 state election to qualify for the Victorian parliamentary pension.
“Michael Crutchfield considers this unwarranted and self serving but in his own case believes he should receive a lifelong taxpayer funded pension after only serving eight years.”
A City of Greater Geelong spokesperson said the award was a “minimum-cost recognition of the community services contributions of councillors”.