Councillors are pushing for a tax-free income.

Some civic leaders are urging one state’s Local Government Association to abolish taxes for local government executives, and say that the move should be carried-out nationwide.

The Port Pirie Regional Council has passed a chief executive officer’s motion to request the South Australian LGA puts the issue on notice for its next annual general meeting in October.

It comes after preparation in April, when the council decided to lobby the association and Local Government Minister Geoff Brock, as well as seek more information on how the tax abolition would actually work.

Port Pirie chief executive officer Andrew Johnson wrote to the South Australian LGA on May 13 asking for information about the state and national local government associations’ policy positions on the matter.

Reports say South Australian LGA chief executive officer Wendy Campana responded favourably to Dr Johnson, saying it has been a “long standing policy of the LGA in South Australia to support a move to tax-exempt status of council members’ allowances”.

But the Australian Tax Office will not weigh in, declining the association’s request for a ruling.

The ATO was responsive enough to issue guidelines on ways for councillors to use their annual allowance.