Ballarat’s deputy mayor Belinda Coates has defended a last minute decision to approve a ratepayer funded trip to East Timor after questions were raised about its benefit to the city.
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The late agenda item recommending approval of a trip to East Timor was granted at a City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, despite debate erupting between councillors over the value of the trip and direct benefit it would provide to Ballarat ratepayers.
A number of councillors also voiced their frustration over the tardiness of the report, which was handed out just hours before they had to vote on the matter.
Cr Coates, who will represent Ballarat on the trip, said she was disappointed some councillors voted against the trip and did not ask questions about its value.
She said councillors knew the relationship with East Timor was a long-term commitment.
“This relationship goes back to the eighties and nineties,” she said.
“A number of councils across Australia, particularly in Victoria, have signed municipality agreements which means we will support East Timor in their transformation of government.
“Councillors should be well aware we had signed the municipality agreement (in 2003) which binds us to support the development of the East Timor government.”
At Wednesday night’s meeting Cr Vicki Coltman questioned the value of the trip, saying she struggled to understand how the relationship benefited ratepayers.
But Cr Coates said the trip to the Timor-Leste Government Conference next month, which is estimated to be $3500, will have social, cultural and economic benefits for the city.
“There is an opportunity for exchange … to also host reciprocal conferences in Ballarat, generating economic activity,” she said.
“It also helps the City of Ballarat to identify where we sit in our own cultural development and learning.”
When asked about the tardiness of the report, Cr Coates said she was also disappointed to see it come up so late, but understood if it was held over it could increase the cost of flights.
She added the final confirmation from the East Timor government was received “quite late”.
The vote was split with councillors Des Hudson, Coates, John Philips and Glen Crompton voting in favour of the report, while Amy Johnson, Coltman, Samantha McIntosh and Jim Rinaldi voted against the trip.
As mayor, Cr Hudson had the deciding vote.