GOLDOC coy on UK cost for Borobi duo
ORGANISERS forked out big bucks to fly two people to the UK so cuddly koala mascot Borobi could attend the Commonwealth Games baton relay launch.
Taxpayers footed the bill to fly a crew of two to London because the Borobi suit’s eyeholes offer only limited visibility, requiring one person to be inside the suit while another person guides the mascot around safely.
But instead of organising for local support, two people were flown from Queensland and the pair took turns dressing up to play the mascot, including during a visit to Buckingham Palace.
A Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation spokesman refused to say how much it cost taxpayers to send the pair overseas but claimed the costs came in under budget.
“As the staff members are GOLDOC employees, they are on salary. The staff mem- bers flew economy to the UK,” the spokesman said.
“Travel arrangements were in line with government travel policies and the associated costs were below the original budget estimates.”
The spokesman said the pair carried out several other duties, such as performing at local schools, while not dressed up as Borobi on the trip.
“Two events staff members travelled as part of the delegation to the UK to perform a number of promotion- al duties, including setting up the operational overlay for the Queen’s Baton Relay launch at Buckingham Palace, performing at a number of schools and attending promotional events with Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Commonwealth Games Federation,” he said.
Borobi’s social media accounts show the mascot turning up in England, Scotland and Wales during the trip.
An Opposition spokesman said the LNP supported the Games but it wanted to ensure taxpayers were not hit with unnecessary costs.
“It is important that, in the hype of the event, money doesn’t get wasted,” he said.
“Everyone has to stay focused on ensuring taxpayers receive value for money.”
Each Borobi suit costs about $7000 and is made in Australia. GOLDOC did not release information about how many Borobi suits were in operation “to maintain the integrity of the mascot program”.