Briffa blames ‘sour grapes’ for taxi expenses assault

SOUR grapes is how Hobsons Bay councillor Tony Briffa describes the latest attack over taxi expenses clocked up during the mayoral term last year.

Unsuccessful candidate and former ALP councillor Carl Marsich is publicly revisiting his complaints about Cr Briffa’s expenses, which first arose in the lead-up to last November’s local elections.

In September, Cr Peter Hemphill raised claims made by Mr Marsich, who fought last year’s election campaign and lost by less than 200 votes.

“He [Marsich] is a failed candidate,” Cr Briffa said.

Mr Marsich launched the first volley of this year via a press release but no complaint has been officially lodged with the council.

Cr Briffa maintains saving council considerable transport expenses by opting not to take up the offer of a council vehicle during the mayoral term.

Cr Briffa said it was justifiable to use council-supplied taxi vouchers to keep up with a busy schedule.

Last year, Mr Marsich questioned why Cr Briffa spent $1966 on taxis from February-May, 2012, the highest among the councillors.

Last week, Mr Marsich gave the Weekly a breakdown of Cr Briffa’s taxi trips, which he had obtained from the council under freedom of information.

He said: “I still believe this matter needs appropriate scrutiny by council to clarify whether these expenses were or were not appropriate.

“There would be no questions if [Cr Briffa] had used [Cr Briffa’s] own car. Once you start using taxis you’ve got to be more accountable and make sure it is not double-dipping.

“It’s a fair argument to suggest additional costs [for taxis] should be taken out of the car allowance or paid back.”