Politics · Australia · 2 days ago
Darwin council to spend $18,000 on trade mission to China and Vietnam
Darwin City Council plans to lead about 10 businesses on a trade mission to Guangzhou, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in December.
Lord Mayor Peter Styles will lead the delegation, and two council staff members will also travel.
The council says about $18,000 in ratepayer money will cover its costs, while the businesses will pay their own way.
It says the trip aims to build business links and could bring about $250,000 a year into Darwin’s economy.
The plan comes after the council raised rates by 5.5 per cent and postponed its annual hard rubbish collection until 2027.
Former lord mayor Graeme Sawyer says the council risks appearing out of touch unless it clearly explains the trip’s benefits.
The council says the trade mission was initially kept confidential but has since been made public.
Darwin City Council says it will spend about $18,000 in ratepayer funds on a trade mission to China and Vietnam in December.
The delegation, led by Lord Mayor Peter Styles, is expected to take about 10 businesses to Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City.
The council says the mission aims to open economic opportunities for Darwin and could bring about $250,000 a year into the economy.
Former Darwin lord mayor Graeme Sawyer said the trip could seem out of touch while residents face cost-of-living pressures.
The trip follows a 5.5 per cent rates rise and the postponement of the annual hard rubbish collection to 2027.
- Who
- Darwin City Council, led by Lord Mayor Peter Styles, and about 10 businesses.
- What
- A trade mission to China and Vietnam, with about $18,000 in ratepayer funding for council costs.
- When
- December; the year is not stated.
- Where
- Guangzhou, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Why
- The council says the mission aims to open economic opportunities for Darwin.
Darwin City Council
Critics of the trade mission
Purpose
Darwin City Council
The council says the mission is an important economic opportunity for Darwin.
Critics of the trade mission
Former lord mayor Graeme Sawyer said the trip could seem out of touch during cost-of-living pressures.
Transparency
Darwin City Council
The council says the delegation information has now been made public.
Critics of the trade mission
Sawyer raised concerns about secrecy and said the council should explain the benefits and reasons for the trip.
The council passed a resolution for the trade delegation, initially making it confidential.
The council raised rates by 5.5 per cent.
The council plans to lead a trade delegation to Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City.
The postponed annual pre-cyclone clean-up is scheduled to take place.
- Council funding
- About $18,000 in ratepayer funds
- Delegation size
- About 10 businesses
- China destination
- Guangzhou
- Vietnam destination
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Estimated economic impact
- Approximately $250,000 per annum
- Rates increase
- 5.5 per cent
What people are saying
This is definitely not a junket for the mayor and for the council
Particularly at a time when cost of living and everything else is so front and centre in people's minds, you're really treading on some rough country here
It's an important economic opportunity for Darwin as a capital city
If council's not being open and explicit about the benefits and the reasons for these sorts of things, then naturally people are just going to think it's another junket
Sources
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