In a dramatic turn of events, Cam Nation, a councillor and former mayor in Melbourne's inner north-west, shocked his colleagues by resigning from the Moonee Valley council during a meeting. Nation highlighted the challenges of balancing council duties with work and family, especially due to the low remuneration for Victorian councillors, which average around $30,000 a year pre-tax, making it hard for many to serve full-time on the council. His decision to quit during the meeting, after more than 11 years in the role, was unexpected and left fellow councillors surprised by his swift departure.
The base allowance set for councillors in December 2023 ranged from approximately $26,368 to $59,085, while for mayors it varied between $81,641 and $260,782. Nation, who had been managing work in regional Victoria and abroad alongside his council responsibilities, emphasized the challenges of juggling multiple commitments. The sudden vacancy left by Nation's resignation will be filled through a vote countback by the Victorian Electoral Commission, coinciding with upcoming councillor elections in October, adding a new layer of complexity to an already eventful time for the council.
The Moonee Valley Council has been under scrutiny, with reports of a raid conducted by the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) in 2023 at the homes of several councillors, including Nation. Following governance issues, municipal monitors were appointed in January 2024 to oversee the council's operations. Additionally, in 2022, Mr. Nation was reported to have pleaded guilty to falsifying claims for community swim grants while serving on the council in 2018, adding to the controversy surrounding his tenure. His swift resignation, announced via video link during the council meeting, brings an end to his lengthy stint in local government, prompting further scrutiny and a process to fill the vacant position.