Debate erupted between Ballarat councillors over a last minute vote on a ratepayer funded trip to East Timor.
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The late agenda item recommending Ballarat City Council approve the trip to East Timor was handed to councillors just hours before they had to vote at a council meeting on Wednesday evening.
It recommended approval of the international travel of deputy mayor Belinda Coates to the Timor-Leste Government Conferences next month. The cost of the trip is estimated to be $3500.
Cr Amy Johnson suggested the delays were a ploy to get the trip “over the line” without the council facing public criticism. She argued it meant the public weren’t given an opportunity to present submissions on the item.
Cr Coates also voiced disappointment in the tardiness of the report, but she defended the value of the trip arguing the council had a 13 year history of friendship with the nation.
However, Cr Vicki Coltman questioned the value of the trip and the direct benefit it would provide to Ballarat ratepayers.
“It’s not of economic relationship and it’s not a toursim relationship,” she said. “While it’s great to have friendship cities, our budget is limited. It’s a lost cost for something else. I struggle to understand how this relationship benefits the ratepayers.”
Mayor Des Hudson defended Ballarat’s longstanding relationship with East Timor.
“It’s one of those times when there may not be the obvious tangible rewards,” Cr Hudson said. “But it’s about how we as a developed city can actually assist another neighbouring nation which has gone through a horrific past.”
The trip has already been budgeted for and the chamber was told delays in getting the report to councillors were due administration issues in East Timor.
The vote was spilt with councillors Hudson, Coates, John Philips and Glen Crompton voting in favour of the report. Councillors Johnson, Coltman and Samantha McIntosh, Jim Rinaldi voted against the trip.
As mayor, Cr Hudson had the deciding vote which meant the trip will go ahead.