Four-day junket to cost ratepayers over $20k

By Roje Adaimy

An estimated $17,000 of ratepayer’s money will be used to pay for business-class airfares to the United States for two City of Sydney representatives.
Councillors Shayne Mallard and Phillip Black will travel to San Fransisco over four days for the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Celebration at the end of next month.
The short junket will come at a total cost of approximately $20,260, covering accommodation and daily expenses.
A City of Sydney spokesperson told The City News that the estimated cost of the trip was based on a quote for business-class airfares, which was not specified in the item presented to Council on Monday night.
Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore was invited to attend the 38th LGBT celebration by San Fransisco Bay City’s Mayor Gavin Newsom, but said she was unable to attend and requested that two other members attend instead.
The councillors will participate in the development of a special exhibition on the historical ties between the Sydney and San Fransisco LGBT communities. They are also expected to help design a float representing the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship that will be included in the parade on the June 28-29 weekend.
Cr Moore, her Chief of Staff, and the City of Sydney’s CEO will all travel to China this weekend as part of the NSW Premier’s Mission to China. The estimated $32,000 eight-day trip will include a visit to the city of Guangzhou, a sister-city of Sydney, where Cr Moore is expected to present the Sustainable Sydney 2030 Strategy and propose a Sino-Australian Climate Change Summit at two Metropolis forums.