UPDATE | Council cancels controversial Christmas party plans

Monash Council has cancelled its lavish Christmas party due to be held on the beach at Elwood.

It comes after Tom Elliott challenged Mayor Paul Klisaris over the move last Friday.

In a controversial move, the council had organised its staff Christmas party at Sails on the Bay – outside the council municipality – at a cost of $100 per head.

When asked by Tom Elliott why the council wouldn’t have its party at a Monash establishment, Mayor Cr Paul Klisaris said that criticism was “unfair”.

But the party was cancelled just days later.

In a statement, Monash confirmed the money that would have been spent on the party would now be given to a local charity group.