PAY FOR ME TO GO BACK

Council to vote tonight on another publicly funded mayoral Asia trip

GEELONG Mayor Bruce Harwood is becoming a frequent flyer, with the council planning to send him on another ratepayer-funded junket to Malaysia.

The two-night stay is to allow Cr Harwood to speak at next week’s official launch of AirAsia X’s international flights to Avalon Airport.

Councillors will tonight decide if they will allocate $1900 from the budget to pay for Cr Harwood’s flights with AirAsia X and accommodation.

He would be joined by council’s tourism manager, Roger Grant, who will present a showcase of the region’s food and wine at the launch.

The cost of Mr Grant’s trip is likely to be borne by peak industry body Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine.

The return visit would occur just a fortnight after Cr Harwood was joined by new council CEO Martin Cutter to meet officials of the airline in Kuala Lumpur.

That meeting — which came on the back of the Mayor’s three-country tour of Europe — was roundly criticised by Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson. She described Mr Cutter’s decision to attend as “self-indulgent BS and a shocking waste of ratepayers’ money”.

The total cost of the full 18-day expedition was estimated by the council beforehand at $18,000.

But council’s investment and attraction director Brett Luxford said the recent trip to Malaysia had “proved valuable in terms of relationship building”.

In arguing for Cr Harwood to return to Kuala Lumpur for next Tuesday’s official launch, Mr Luxford highlighted the opportunities to promote the region to a captive audience.

Cr Harwood would stay in the Asian capital the day after the event to conduct media interviews, Mr Luxford revealed.

“Over 100 travel, trade and media representatives from AirAsia X’s key markets across North and South-East Asia will be attending,” he said.

“There will be a number of media interviews during and after the launch, making this a significant opportunity … to promote our region and further demonstrate our support and commitment to their move.”

AirAsia X is expected to announce dates and fares for their new services out of Avalon at the launch.

They plan to fly twice daily direct to Kuala Lumpur, once a new federally-funded $20 million terminal is completed at Avalon later this year.

Ratepayers Geelong president Andrew Senia has called on the council to fully disclose the benefits of any overseas travel.

“We would expect a breakdown of the costs and a full report that clearly explains the tangible short and long-term benefits for the City of Greater Geelong,” Mr Senia said.

Cr Harwood has been overseas for the past two council meetings.

A return to Malaysia next week would ensure he also misses a community focus meeting in Belmont next Tuesday.