Laughs at junket word, goes to New Zealand

Andrew Mathieson
RATEPAYERS will pay more than $2000 to send a councillor to New Zealand for four days.
Councillors voted unanimously this week in favour of Jan Farrell attending the 2010 International Gambling Conference.
Council will fork out $504 for the early registration fee for the Auckland conference. Accommodation and meals were “estimated” to cost $1000 and travel was anticipated at $700 return.
All ratepayer-funded trips exceeding $2000 must have council approval.
Under council policy, councillors can attend conferences related to the “functions of civic office”. Cr Farrell holds portfolios for “democracy and governance”, education and youth.
Two weeks earlier she defended sending council colleague John Doull to Denmark for 16 days next month, saying “I sometimes laugh at the word junket”.
Cr Doull spoke in favour of Cr Farrell’s trip this week.
Cr Andrew Katos, who holds council’s finance portfolio, said Cr Farrell had “expressed an interest” in attending.
The trip will be Cr Farrell’s second gambling conference in New Zealand in the past two years.
Cr Bruce Harwood said attending the conference would retain Geelong at the forefront of attacking problem gambling.
“Without her (Cr Farrell’s) efforts the City wouldn’t be at the forefront,” he said.
“No doubt there will be ideas and views brought back that will form our policy.”
A council officer’s report said “problem gambling has been an issue effecting many persons and households in the Geelong region”.
Cr Farrell is required to provide a report to council within 21 days of returning.