$15,800 junket completed jet-set mayor back to reality

Jessica Benton
GEELONG’S train-driver mayor has returned from globe trotting to countries in Asia, Europe and the Middle East at ratepayers’ expense.
Cr John Mitchell visited Singapore, Japan, Switzerland and Dubai as part of the City of Greater Geelong excursion, which a long-serving ex-councillor labelled a junket.
A report to council last month said the trip was to “fulfil formal roles” as mayor of the host city for a 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships. Cr Mitchell visited Switzerland for an event hosting rights hand-over ceremony.
The report to council said Cr Mitchell must travel beyond the Switzerland leg “to fully maximise the benefits of the overseas travel”.
He visited Singapore and Japan to discuss “confidential economic development opportunities” then flew to Dubai for meetings with municipal and business contacts and to visit a “leading edge” recreation park.
City Hall officer Sharon Cockerell accompanied the mayor to Switzerland.
The 17-day trip cost ratepayers $15,800, a City spokesperson told the Independent.
Cr Mitchell said he extended an invitation in Switzerland for national cycling federations worldwide to attend the cycling championships in Geelong.
“Geelong is a city that embraces major sports events like few others,” he said.
“We have considerable experience hosting international competitions ranging from yachting regattas to triathlons as well as many cycling events including a round of the UCI Women’s World Cup.
“But, in our minds, the 2010 UCI championships outranks them all. We’ve made a commitment that next year’s event will be the best it can possibly be.”
Earlier this year long-serving former councillor Ian Stacey criticised overseas council travel as “blatant junkets”.
He told Geelong’s councillors to get “back to basics”.
“Leave the overseas trips to educated officers with specialised backgrounds in relevant fields,” Mr Stacey said.
Serving councillor Cr Andy Richards wanted to see an independent panel appointed to oversee the hand out of ratepayers money for overseas travel.