Sydney’s Councillors: When Public Service Meets Private Hustle

The recent exposé on the day jobs of Sydney’s councillors has revealed a paradox. Behind the scenes of Australia’s most populous city, hundreds of elected officials juggle multiple professions alongside their civic duties. From hairdressers and Uber drivers to lawyers and doctors, being a councillor is not just public service, but also a part-time gig.

Victor Macri, a veteran councillor from Marrickville, cuts hair at Fernando’s Hair for five days a week while serving on the Inner West Council. This arrangement highlights the reality of local government in NSW, where councillors are paid fees rather than full-time wages. In Sydney, these fees range from $32,810 to $48,140 for City councillors.

Many councillors rely on side hustles to make ends meet. Mayors and councillors report spending significant hours on council work, supplementing their income with odd jobs or part-time employment. Lane Cove Labor councillor David Roenfeldt drives buses from Sydney Airport to Yass and Canberra as a welcome respite from council duties.

The reliance on side hustles raises questions about representation in local government. Dr Mila Kasby, a Greens councillor from the Hills Shire, argues that the system favors financially comfortable candidates. “We need a whole range of different people from different backgrounds,” she says, “because councillors aren’t paid a living wage, I think that excludes a lot of people.”

Lawyers are among the most common professions represented among Sydney’s councillors, including Waverley’s Steven Lewis and Penrith’s Reece Nuttall. While their expertise is valuable in governance, it also raises concerns about private interests influencing public policy.

The overlap between council work and private employment highlights a pressing issue: the lack of full-time pay for councillors. In an era where politicians are scrutinized for conflicts of interest, the part-time nature of local government exacerbates the problem. Mohit Kumar, a Liberal councillor from Blacktown, acknowledges that “there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make, especially with family.”

The situation in Sydney’s council chambers mirrors broader trends in Australian politics. With rising living costs and stagnant wages, many citizens juggle multiple jobs just to get by. This has significant implications for representation in local government, where councillors often struggle to balance civic duties with private employment.

As the debate over councillor pay and representation continues, it is clear that the day jobs of Sydney’s councillors are a symptom of a larger issue – the erosion of public service as a viable career path. Whether or not the system can be reformed to prioritize full-time pay for councillors remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: until then, we will continue to see a mix of public servants and private hustlers serving on our local councils.

Ryde’s Felix Lo, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach and notary public, observes that “jiu-jitsu is very much physical, but it’s also like playing chess. Every move, you have to be very careful… This analogy can apply to local politics and running the city.” Perhaps it’s time for us to rethink what we mean by ‘public service’ – and what kind of skills and expertise are truly necessary for effective governance.