The Herald Sun has reported that the Melbourne City Council has spent in-excess of $280,000 on overseas junkets.
Melbourne City Council Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, "No more Junkets,
has been on more junkets in his current term of office then previous
years.
The council going so far as to restructure the payment of
reimbursement to avoid listing overseas expenses on the Councillors
expense register. Staff overseas and interstate travel no longer lists
the department and inbound travel is now anonymous with allegation that
the Council has picked up the tab of others visiting the city in a
reciprocal exchange for sponsorship of councillors trips, You scratch
my6 back and I will scratch your" thus avoiding disclosure. In some
cases the reciprocal trips are sponsored by subsidiary third party
organisations that are closely associated or funded by the Council
shifting the costs of travel from one account to another. All councillor
expenses are supposed to be reported in the Councillor expense registry
but this no longer lists overseas travel which is only reported in the
Council's travel register. Creative accounting at best.
Whats
worst is the Council is using the tax expense deductions as a means of
setting and determining a "per deim allowance". Many Councillors trips
costing rate payers in excess of $2,000 to $7,000 a day with the Lord
Mayor and councillors travelling business class at a premium rate no
expenses spared.
Showing posts with label Overseas Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Overseas Travel. Show all posts
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Councillors off to China on a junket
Melbourne City Councilors Ken Ong (Liberal) and Richard Foster (ALP) are both off to China in ongoing rounds of overseas Junkets, although Richard Foster, who was elected with the support of RESIDENTS FIRST:STOP THE RATES RIP-OFF!, claims the China Trip is not a Junket.Foster's name was kept secrete from teh original report which listed Cr Ong plus one other City Council. It is unkown if the other was a draw from the hat but the City of Melbourne needed to bring Richard Foster under the spell and umbrella of junkets and overseas in-house trips rewards system.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who recently traveled to London on a $10,000 junket to discuss Policing in Capital Cities (Unlike London Melbourne has no role in policing which is the responsibility of State Government) is off to New York later this month on what is widely seen as another junket and breach of the Lord Mayor's previous electon undertaking to not go on a junket.
Free from this obligation, Robert Doyle claims that the No junkets policy was made in the previous election and does not apply to his election in 2012, Robert Doyle's of the view that he has earned the right to travel around the world at Councils expense.
 |
Free from this obligation, Robert Doyle claims that the No junkets policy was made in the previous election and does not apply to his election in 2012, Robert Doyle's of the view that he has earned the right to travel around the world at Councils expense.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
If it looks like a junket, sounds like a junket
It is a Junket
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is off to London to give a 45 minute "Keynote Speech" at the inaugural Policing Global Cities Conference on July 9. Robert Doyle is one of a number of City Mayors invited to mingle with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who opens the conference on the day before
International conferences are big business and there are a number of organisations popping-up offering a variety of events at exotic international locations for every sector.
Robert Doyle, who had previously campaigned on a "No junket" platform, has abandoned his promise yet again and has sought rate payer funding to attend the two day event costing over $15,000. The costs are partly funded by the City of London event organisers who are making a contribution to Robert Doyle's airfare travel ($4,700) and providing free accommodation. The City of Melbourne picking up the remaining costs.
Last night the City Council approved the allocation of an additional $6,000 towards the cost of Robert Doyle's airfare plus $1,720 for an additional two days accommodation and a further $1,800 expenses and incidentals.
The proposed overseas travel was approved by all Councillors including the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor except Councillor Jackie Watts who rightly questioned the value of the trip to the City.
No doubt those Councillors who approved the junket are expecting they too will be given an all expenses overseas paid holiday to "represent the City" Greens Councillor Cathy Oak regularly travels to an ICLEI Conferences twice a year and managed to talk the City Council to fund the costs associated with ICLEI 3rd party executive costs. (Will Greens Cr Rohan Leppert apply to attend a Global Occupy protest event in New York or London in the not too distant future)
In accordance with the City of Melbourne "Staff and Councillors travel policy" the Lord Mayor CEO and Directors may travel Business Class
A quick look at the going price for an airfare from Melbourne to London on July 5 shows the list price of travel to cost up to $12,000 with China Southern Airways and Singapore Airways being the cheapest at $7462 and $8879 respectively. The cost of economy travel is less than $2000. Looks like the Melbourne City Council approved Travel agent is making a hefty profit on the deal.
The costs even cheaper had the City of Melbourne booked the flight earlier. Robert Doyle has known about the planed trip as far back as February this year and had only just decided to seek Council approval at the least minute
The City of Melbourne "you scratch my back" travel opportunities, with an international travel bill exceeding 1 milllion dollars a year, is the envy of all Victorian Local Governments
The City ratepayers also pick up the tab for inbound travel of those invitees invited to visit Melbourne. Reverse hospitality. Strangely, but not unexpected, the City of Melbourne keeps the names of inbound travel recipients a secret in its published travel register for fear of someone joing the dots.
The Greater City of London covers a much larger population and area of administration. It also has its own police force (affectionately referred to as Bobbies). Melbourne on the pother hand is much smaller a few square Kms,the size of a British borough, concentrated on the City Centre. Melbourne City Council has no policing powers other then small fleet of by-laws officers and fleet of security guards. Policing in Melbourne is the responsibility of the State Government not the City of Melbourne
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is off to London to give a 45 minute "Keynote Speech" at the inaugural Policing Global Cities Conference on July 9. Robert Doyle is one of a number of City Mayors invited to mingle with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who opens the conference on the day before
International conferences are big business and there are a number of organisations popping-up offering a variety of events at exotic international locations for every sector.
Robert Doyle, who had previously campaigned on a "No junket" platform, has abandoned his promise yet again and has sought rate payer funding to attend the two day event costing over $15,000. The costs are partly funded by the City of London event organisers who are making a contribution to Robert Doyle's airfare travel ($4,700) and providing free accommodation. The City of Melbourne picking up the remaining costs.
Last night the City Council approved the allocation of an additional $6,000 towards the cost of Robert Doyle's airfare plus $1,720 for an additional two days accommodation and a further $1,800 expenses and incidentals.
The proposed overseas travel was approved by all Councillors including the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor except Councillor Jackie Watts who rightly questioned the value of the trip to the City.
No doubt those Councillors who approved the junket are expecting they too will be given an all expenses overseas paid holiday to "represent the City" Greens Councillor Cathy Oak regularly travels to an ICLEI Conferences twice a year and managed to talk the City Council to fund the costs associated with ICLEI 3rd party executive costs. (Will Greens Cr Rohan Leppert apply to attend a Global Occupy protest event in New York or London in the not too distant future)
In accordance with the City of Melbourne "Staff and Councillors travel policy" the Lord Mayor CEO and Directors may travel Business Class
A quick look at the going price for an airfare from Melbourne to London on July 5 shows the list price of travel to cost up to $12,000 with China Southern Airways and Singapore Airways being the cheapest at $7462 and $8879 respectively. The cost of economy travel is less than $2000. Looks like the Melbourne City Council approved Travel agent is making a hefty profit on the deal.
The costs even cheaper had the City of Melbourne booked the flight earlier. Robert Doyle has known about the planed trip as far back as February this year and had only just decided to seek Council approval at the least minute
The City of Melbourne "you scratch my back" travel opportunities, with an international travel bill exceeding 1 milllion dollars a year, is the envy of all Victorian Local Governments
The City ratepayers also pick up the tab for inbound travel of those invitees invited to visit Melbourne. Reverse hospitality. Strangely, but not unexpected, the City of Melbourne keeps the names of inbound travel recipients a secret in its published travel register for fear of someone joing the dots.
The Greater City of London covers a much larger population and area of administration. It also has its own police force (affectionately referred to as Bobbies). Melbourne on the pother hand is much smaller a few square Kms,the size of a British borough, concentrated on the City Centre. Melbourne City Council has no policing powers other then small fleet of by-laws officers and fleet of security guards. Policing in Melbourne is the responsibility of the State Government not the City of Melbourne
Monday, April 29, 2013
Junkets Away: Councillors Overseas Travel
Five months late the City of Melbourne has finally published it's Overseas and Interstate Travel costs for the term of the previous Council (Dec-2008 to Nov-2012)
Topping the bill of the most travelled Councillors is the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle
Topping the bill of the most travelled Councillors is the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle
| Councillor | Cost |
|---|---|
| Robert Doyle | $55,254.80 |
| Peter Clarke | $50,736.55 |
| Susan Riley | $27,084.08 |
| Brian Shanahan | $25,010.37 |
| Kevin Louey | $22,715.35 |
| Cathy Oke | $15,917.67 |
| Ken Ong | $12,829.19 |
| Carl Jetter | $3,956.08 |
| Rob Adams | $2,670.60 |
| Jennifer Kanis | $40.27 |
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Councillors cut expense costs but not expenditure
Melbourne newly elected City Council has acted quick to cut expense costs associated with Councillor expenses according to the Councillor Expense Statements published last week.
In a very cynical move the City Council has decided the best way to cut expenses is to not publish them.
Missing from the new published Councillor expense statements are costs associated with Interstate and Overseas Travel, Conferences and other junket revenue expenditure removed from the statements.
Councillor Carl "Jet set" Jetter is still charging the City Council in excess of $2,000 a quarter for local travel with over $1,000 in communication costs. Kevin Louey has over $1,400 (4.5 times the cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor) in phone bills. Whilst Brian Shanahan has rung up close to $1,000 on Conferences and Training.
The Cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Limo expenses have been listed at $3,691 and $3,968 respectively. This does not include the full costs of the purchase, maintenance and chauffer which remain undisclosed. The City Council policy of non disclosure and deceit continues unabated.
Staff have not curbed their last for the Leather on Aeroplanes. They have rung up over 3 Months increases of $58,000 with Scott Chapman close to $24,000 for a 13 day world site seeing trip to Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, with a stopover in Auckland between the 20th of March to the 4th of April this year. This expense is on top of his six figure salary of course.
12 members of staff had their expenses picked op by an undisclosed source begging the question how much does the City Council fork out in kind.
In a very cynical move the City Council has decided the best way to cut expenses is to not publish them.
Missing from the new published Councillor expense statements are costs associated with Interstate and Overseas Travel, Conferences and other junket revenue expenditure removed from the statements.
Councillor Carl "Jet set" Jetter is still charging the City Council in excess of $2,000 a quarter for local travel with over $1,000 in communication costs. Kevin Louey has over $1,400 (4.5 times the cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor) in phone bills. Whilst Brian Shanahan has rung up close to $1,000 on Conferences and Training.
The Cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Limo expenses have been listed at $3,691 and $3,968 respectively. This does not include the full costs of the purchase, maintenance and chauffer which remain undisclosed. The City Council policy of non disclosure and deceit continues unabated.
Staff have not curbed their last for the Leather on Aeroplanes. They have rung up over 3 Months increases of $58,000 with Scott Chapman close to $24,000 for a 13 day world site seeing trip to Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, with a stopover in Auckland between the 20th of March to the 4th of April this year. This expense is on top of his six figure salary of course.
12 members of staff had their expenses picked op by an undisclosed source begging the question how much does the City Council fork out in kind.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Vexing Question Melbourne City Councillor Cathy Oke's Overseas travel allowance
Recently elected Melbourne City councillor Cathy Oke has wasted no time shoving her snout into the travel trough, with reports on Nine News and in News Limited publications about a series of trips she has planned at ratepayers' expense that will cost $33,000.
VEXNEWS invited the councillor to explain herself to a disgusted public and it appears she has been struck dumb. We (VEXNEWS)wrote to her:
I refer to media reports that you are embarking on ratepayer funded $33,000 travel to various overseas destinations. We (vexnews) propose to do a follow-up story that explores the issues in detail.
The $33,000 bill contrasts starkly with a previous Greens party Melbourne councillor David Risstrom who travelled extensively on council business but managed to spend very little money indeed, other than on airfares. He appeared to stay at backpacker style hostels and`to eat very parsimoniously indeed. We fear he consumed a vegan variety of seeds and berries.
This meant he was very hard to criticise for travelling at ratepayer expense, except of course by those conscious - as you no doubt are - of one's carbon footprint. What measures will you be taking to deal with the carbon consequences of these very long trips? And why are you proposing to travel so regally by comparison to your own party's predecessors? Could you please provide us with a breakdown of how you propose to spend $33,000 on these trips? And also what is the length of the trips? With airfares as they currently are, the quantum outlined in that article seems to be almost impossible unless you are living very large indeed.
What do you say to those who believe that three different trips in such a short time is excessive? What will you be doing on such trips to justify the large expense? How are they not in breach of the Lord Mayor's ban on junkets?
Given that you say you work as an environmental consultant, how do you respond to suggestions you might be getting ratepayers to pay for travel that could be advantageous to your business?
The Herald Sun said that you would be travelling with a member of staff. Is it envisaged that you would be sharing accommodation with that person? If not, why not?
Please feel free to contact us on the mobile 0415 99 33 26 or by return email editor[at] vexnews.comin time for our deadline of 9am
tomorrow. If you fail to respond, we will note that in the customary way.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Landeryou
Editor-in-Chief
VEXNEWS
Friday, January 23, 2009
Cost of Russian junket blowout - $50,000 for 4 days
Elected on a "No Junket" policy costs of Robert Doyle's Russian sortie has blown out from a previous announced $20,000 to a revised budget of $50,000. Robert Doyle told Radio 3AW host Neil Mitchel that cost of accommodation was being met by the Russian host city St. Petersburg.
With the cost of a Business class return ticket listed at between $4-6,000 per person where is the rest of the money going?
Yes Melbourne's relationship with St Petersburg is a potential valuable resource BUT Doyle should be seeking to set an example and save ratepayers money and ensure that each cent is well spent and properly accounted for certainly the news of an additional $30,000 blow out in the budget is alarming.
For $50,000 I could live in Russia for two years. But to spend that amount in four days is unjustifiable. Maybe Robert should invite a independent observer to watch over the cost expenditure of the trip. We would be pleased to undertake that role for $5,000 :)
With the cost of a Business class return ticket listed at between $4-6,000 per person where is the rest of the money going?
Yes Melbourne's relationship with St Petersburg is a potential valuable resource BUT Doyle should be seeking to set an example and save ratepayers money and ensure that each cent is well spent and properly accounted for certainly the news of an additional $30,000 blow out in the budget is alarming.
For $50,000 I could live in Russia for two years. But to spend that amount in four days is unjustifiable. Maybe Robert should invite a independent observer to watch over the cost expenditure of the trip. We would be pleased to undertake that role for $5,000 :)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
No Junket Rob goes on a Junket St Petersburg in the middle of Winter
Rob Doyle less then a month in the top job has planned a Junket to St Petersburg. Russia. Whilst St Petersburg is one of Melbourne's Sister Cities one has to question the merit and benefit of the planned junket.
Ousted Melbourne City Councillor, Fiona Snedden, as part of her farewell world tour visited St Petersburg in May last year. Prior to that Rob's Deputy, Susan Riley, and disgraced former City Councillor Anthony Nicholson packed in a midnight summers holiday back in 2003-4 costing ratepayers in excess of 20,000 each. Anthony Nicholson was too drunk the night before and missed his plan and had to schedule an alternative flight. The cost of Nicholson's St Petersburg tour was never "acquitted" and did not show up on the Council's Travel register or expense statements.
It is unclear as to the reason or benefit of this trip which Robert claims was organised prior to his election. There was no mention of this in Cr Snedden's report.
The Moscow Embassy is controversial itself and should be seriously reviewed. What does and has Austrade done. the staff at the Moscow office are highly paid and have numerous lurks and perks. they are also responsible for representing Australia throughout Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and other CIS countries. They never seem to do anything for the other countries where their absence is noted by most Australian's.
Winter in Russia is not a picnic which begs the question what has Robert Doyle got to offer and contibute that will bring direct benefits to Melbourne?
Friday, July 13, 2007
Jettsetter Councillors get bitchy with fly-buy rewards
Melbourne City Councillor Carl Jetter, a loyal member of John So's team, got a little bitchy at last weeks Council meeting.
Carl Jetter (alisa's Carl the Jetsetter), recently returned Melbourne after jetsetting off on another visit to China to promote the good work of Melbourne City Council. Carl decided that other councillors should not be allowed to travel when he questioned and refused an application by Melbourne City Liberal Councillor Fiona Sneden.
Councillor Snedden had made an application to visit St. Petersburg, Melbourne City Council's forgotten Sister City. Melbourne has not paid a visit to St Petersburg for over five years.
It is well known that the City Council uses overseas travel as a way of rewarding Councillors for good behaviour. It may be cynical but could Councillor Jeter's change of policy have something to do with the fact that Councillor Snedden voted in support of a no-confidence motion against Melbourne's Lord Mayor John So last month?
Looks like the Russian member of the family misses out to China again whilst Melbourne considers adopting a new Indian Sister into the family.
Carl Jetter (alisa's Carl the Jetsetter), recently returned Melbourne after jetsetting off on another visit to China to promote the good work of Melbourne City Council. Carl decided that other councillors should not be allowed to travel when he questioned and refused an application by Melbourne City Liberal Councillor Fiona Sneden.
Councillor Snedden had made an application to visit St. Petersburg, Melbourne City Council's forgotten Sister City. Melbourne has not paid a visit to St Petersburg for over five years.
It is well known that the City Council uses overseas travel as a way of rewarding Councillors for good behaviour. It may be cynical but could Councillor Jeter's change of policy have something to do with the fact that Councillor Snedden voted in support of a no-confidence motion against Melbourne's Lord Mayor John So last month?
Looks like the Russian member of the family misses out to China again whilst Melbourne considers adopting a new Indian Sister into the family.
Friday, March 23, 2007
New York Apple Pie John So and Council propose expenditure of 26,000 for 3 day junket
New York, New York, what a wonderful town at 26,000 for two to visit the big apple
Melbourne City Council's "Can not say no to proposed expenditure" John So is planning a 3 day visit to America's "big apple" New York. The Load Mayor and Geoff Lawless are proposing to spend up big whilst visiting the big apple at an estimated cost of $13,000 each for three days. 'Ouch' there goes the budget. Most people can live for a year on $26,000.
Those ratepayers that are struggling to pay off the second mortgage or those who are homeless might like to reflect more on the excess of the Lord Mayors Office. (this is just the tip of the ice berg)
The advertised cost of a business class ticket from Qantas is listed at $12,820 (Flight Centre lists from $5,670) Qantas economy class listed at $2,307).
Assuming the Council can secure a competitive air fare that means the Lord Mayor and Jeff Lawless will be spending around $3,000 a day on a rate-payer funded New York luxury holiday no expenses spared.
Travel on.
The Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (who is organising this junket) is a group of cities committed to teh reduction of Green House Gas Emmissions and adopting to climate change. Questions not asked by teh City Council Travel club members include: Could the aims and aobjkects of this conference have been ahchieved by organising a e-conference and internet link up as opposed to proping up the business travel tourist sector?
Carbon Emission Sustainability consumption (Missing from report)
The proposed New York Travel will generate in excess of 7.5 tons of Co2 gas based on calculation for an economy air fare ticket. (Four times gas generated more for Business Class).
Note to Fraser Brindely: If the City Council is serious about a Green Environment then it should as a matter of course list down the estaimated carbon emmision form all interstate and international council funded travel. CVr Brindly should seek amendemnet to teh City Couchnils travel guidelines to ensure that this information is readily available and noted on all applications for travel.
Melbourne City Council's "Can not say no to proposed expenditure" John So is planning a 3 day visit to America's "big apple" New York. The Load Mayor and Geoff Lawless are proposing to spend up big whilst visiting the big apple at an estimated cost of $13,000 each for three days. 'Ouch' there goes the budget. Most people can live for a year on $26,000.
Those ratepayers that are struggling to pay off the second mortgage or those who are homeless might like to reflect more on the excess of the Lord Mayors Office. (this is just the tip of the ice berg)The advertised cost of a business class ticket from Qantas is listed at $12,820 (Flight Centre lists from $5,670) Qantas economy class listed at $2,307).
Assuming the Council can secure a competitive air fare that means the Lord Mayor and Jeff Lawless will be spending around $3,000 a day on a rate-payer funded New York luxury holiday no expenses spared.
Travel on.
The Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (who is organising this junket) is a group of cities committed to teh reduction of Green House Gas Emmissions and adopting to climate change. Questions not asked by teh City Council Travel club members include: Could the aims and aobjkects of this conference have been ahchieved by organising a e-conference and internet link up as opposed to proping up the business travel tourist sector?
Carbon Emission Sustainability consumption (Missing from report)
The proposed New York Travel will generate in excess of 7.5 tons of Co2 gas based on calculation for an economy air fare ticket. (Four times gas generated more for Business Class).
Note to Fraser Brindely: If the City Council is serious about a Green Environment then it should as a matter of course list down the estaimated carbon emmision form all interstate and international council funded travel. CVr Brindly should seek amendemnet to teh City Couchnils travel guidelines to ensure that this information is readily available and noted on all applications for travel.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Junket Committee resurrected Melbourne City Council proposes re-establishing junket committee to boost Councillors prospects of Travel benefits
The Melbourne City Council has proposed the re-establishment of a special Travel Committee to decide who and when Councillors can seek to take holidays at ratepayers expenses.
Melbourne's most travelled Councillor, Liberal Party member - Fiona Sneden, has proposed that the Council removes delegated authority for approval of Councillor Travel from the Lord Mayor and transfers that responsibility back to a special committee titled "Council International Connections Committee" (CICC).
This committee is a waste of time and resources and should be rejected as it currently is proposed..
Whilst there is merit in removing delegated authority from the Lord Mayor the resurrection of the disgraced Travel Committee is not necessary. There already is a committee in place that can and should consider Council travel issues. It is called the Finance and Governance Committee.
Council staff have already strategically removed the right of the Finance and Governance Committee to consider and decide on issues related to governance.
The establishment of another Special Travel committee be it under a "new name" is necessary and a waste of limited resources. All that the proposal by Cr Sneden serves is to avoid public awareness and the right of the public to monitor and review the Council and the larks and perks that Councillors continue to seek to regard themselves for being good councillors.
All Council's International and Interstate Travel should be included and attached to the Finance Committee without the need and expense associated with the cost of establishing another useless inappropriate committee that meets behind closed doors away from the public eye.
It never ceases to amuse that the Council staff, in this case Linda Weatherson, falsely states in her report " There are no direct financial implications relating to the adoption of the recommendations contained in this report".
It appears that the City Council is more concerned about councilor benefits and travel then about good governance and representation.
.
.
Melbourne's most travelled Councillor, Liberal Party member - Fiona Sneden, has proposed that the Council removes delegated authority for approval of Councillor Travel from the Lord Mayor and transfers that responsibility back to a special committee titled "Council International Connections Committee" (CICC).
This committee is a waste of time and resources and should be rejected as it currently is proposed..
Whilst there is merit in removing delegated authority from the Lord Mayor the resurrection of the disgraced Travel Committee is not necessary. There already is a committee in place that can and should consider Council travel issues. It is called the Finance and Governance Committee.
Council staff have already strategically removed the right of the Finance and Governance Committee to consider and decide on issues related to governance.
The establishment of another Special Travel committee be it under a "new name" is necessary and a waste of limited resources. All that the proposal by Cr Sneden serves is to avoid public awareness and the right of the public to monitor and review the Council and the larks and perks that Councillors continue to seek to regard themselves for being good councillors.
All Council's International and Interstate Travel should be included and attached to the Finance Committee without the need and expense associated with the cost of establishing another useless inappropriate committee that meets behind closed doors away from the public eye.
It never ceases to amuse that the Council staff, in this case Linda Weatherson, falsely states in her report " There are no direct financial implications relating to the adoption of the recommendations contained in this report".
It appears that the City Council is more concerned about councilor benefits and travel then about good governance and representation.
.
.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Norway lays down a challenge to Melbourne City Council Greens challenged to bring in quotas on thier green house gas travel
Norway has decided to place quotas on green house gas emissions generated by public servants travelling the globe on public taxes. Something we think Melbourne City Council should also adopt.
Melbourne City Council is renowned for its glob trotting Councillors and Staff seeking overseas five-star luxury holidays at ratepayers expenses. The City of Melbourne is set to top the Overseas holiday expenses yet again this year. The previous City Council, under the leadership of John So, spent over 1 Million dollars in overseas travel.
Greens Councillor, Frazer Brindley managed to talk the City Council into funding travel expenses related to his executive position held an international environment confest organisation. he was elected to the ICLIE executive ion the basis that the City Council would foot the bill for all travel costs.. Why the Council is funding a third party's executive governance cost is anyone guess.
No restrictions when it comes to the City Council's overseas holidays and South African Safaris. Cr Brindley's African sunset tour last year generated around 60% of the annual Co2 emissions for an average family car so he could attend an ICLIE executive meeting. Why could they not have arrange an Internet hook-up to discuss their corporate governance is anyone guess.
Executive travel and international "Confests" are big business and generate significant Green house gas emissions whilst pumping the brave new world of international corporate tourism .
So much to the Greens commitment to fiscal and environmental responsibility.
Come January 1 Public commuters have been hit with a congestion tax to help fund the City Council's Travel budget and their new competitive busting Tourist bus whilst public transport users are left waiting for a ride.
In the meantime Melbourne's "Car Free Council still refuses to publish the costs associated wit the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayors Limousine. The City Council continues to hide the costs associated with the lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayors limos.
Shame Fraser Shame.
Norway to buy greenhouse quotas
Melbourne City Council is renowned for its glob trotting Councillors and Staff seeking overseas five-star luxury holidays at ratepayers expenses. The City of Melbourne is set to top the Overseas holiday expenses yet again this year. The previous City Council, under the leadership of John So, spent over 1 Million dollars in overseas travel.
Greens Councillor, Frazer Brindley managed to talk the City Council into funding travel expenses related to his executive position held an international environment confest organisation. he was elected to the ICLIE executive ion the basis that the City Council would foot the bill for all travel costs.. Why the Council is funding a third party's executive governance cost is anyone guess.
No restrictions when it comes to the City Council's overseas holidays and South African Safaris. Cr Brindley's African sunset tour last year generated around 60% of the annual Co2 emissions for an average family car so he could attend an ICLIE executive meeting. Why could they not have arrange an Internet hook-up to discuss their corporate governance is anyone guess.
Executive travel and international "Confests" are big business and generate significant Green house gas emissions whilst pumping the brave new world of international corporate tourism .
So much to the Greens commitment to fiscal and environmental responsibility.
Come January 1 Public commuters have been hit with a congestion tax to help fund the City Council's Travel budget and their new competitive busting Tourist bus whilst public transport users are left waiting for a ride.
In the meantime Melbourne's "Car Free Council still refuses to publish the costs associated wit the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayors Limousine. The City Council continues to hide the costs associated with the lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayors limos.
Shame Fraser Shame.
Norway to buy greenhouse quotas
Norway plans to offset the greenhouse gases caused by state employees' flights abroad by buying emissions quotas to help combat global warming, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said.
His office said Norway was probably the first country in the world to buy such quotas.
"The government has decided that when state employees travel by plane abroad, we will buy quotas for the emissions caused by the trip," Stoltenberg said in a New Year speech.
"We want to set an example. We hope that companies, organisations and other countries will follow," he said.
Emissions by planes on international flights are excluded from the goals of the UN's Kyoto Protocol, a plan that binds 35 rich nations to cut emissions from burning oil, coal and natural gas by five per cent below 1990 levels by 2008-12.
Stoltenberg did not say how much his plan would cost.
Norway's NTB news agency estimated the cost at about $US400,000 ($A508,000) a year.
Most scientists say emissions from burning oil, coal and natural gas are to blame for a global rise in temperatures that may wreak havoc with the climate by causing more floods, desertification, heatwaves, spreading disease and raising sea levels.
Some companies, including Norway's oil group Statoil, already have similar policies of paying for emissions caused by employees' flights.
According to the Carbon Neutral Company, a passenger travelling one way from Oslo to Washington would account for emissions of 0.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
It suggests a compensating investment of about $US12 ($A15.24) in windmills or planting trees.
"In many parts of the country we have had the warmest autumn and winter months for 100 years," Stoltenberg said.
"We notice it in our daily lives - skis are standing unused. Children are not making snowmen. Researchers say polar bears are threatened."
2007 - Reuters
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Seventh Sister "unplanned birth" Melbourne City Council jetset to adopt another sister city as overseas travel costs soar
Melbourne City Council is gearing up to adopt a Seventh Sister city.
The City Council already has six sister cities on its books which is one more then was originally approved. The City Council had previously placed a limit on the number of Sister cities at five but this was extended in 2000/2001 to include the Italian city of Milan. Now the City Council administration is planning on adopting a new sister city this time based in Delhi, India.
We already have a smorgasbord of international cuisines including Japanese Osaka sushi; Chinese Tianjin stir fried, Greek Thessaloniki salad, American Boston buns, Russian St Petersburg borsh and Italian Milan pizza on the menu. Now they want authentic Indian Delhi curry.
All are in the northern hemisphere not one in the south. Create a virtual foster family and forget expanding the sister city program.
With every sister city the extent of opportunity for our city council to travel abroad increases as does the Council's overseas travel costs.
With every new Sister City our existing sister city relationships begin to suffer. We should not adopt another.
Enough is enough. Melbourne must say no to another sister city. Already the existing siblings are suffering from a lack of attention with China being the latest exotic must visit destination.
Oblivious of the costs John So is prepared to spend up big on what ever comes his way.
If the City of Melbourne is allowed to increase the number of sister cities then we can expect that India will be the next exotic destination for our City Councillors and staff to spend corporate, ratepayer funded, holidays abroad.
Under John So's leadership our City Council has become the biggest spending Council in the history of Melbourne and John So shows no sign of fiscal restraint. John So is willing to close his eyes and block his ears to a Greater Melbourne at home but is happy to expand Melbourne abroad.
John So should put the idea of another sister city to a referendum of ratepayers along with the full costs and implications of having a new sibling and see if ratepayers support his global expansion plans.
Melbourne's current sister cities include
Talk to Kevin Chamberlain or Trevor Huggard (both Former Lord Mayors) and they will explain the past policy in more detail.
The City Council already has six sister cities on its books which is one more then was originally approved. The City Council had previously placed a limit on the number of Sister cities at five but this was extended in 2000/2001 to include the Italian city of Milan. Now the City Council administration is planning on adopting a new sister city this time based in Delhi, India.
We already have a smorgasbord of international cuisines including Japanese Osaka sushi; Chinese Tianjin stir fried, Greek Thessaloniki salad, American Boston buns, Russian St Petersburg borsh and Italian Milan pizza on the menu. Now they want authentic Indian Delhi curry.
All are in the northern hemisphere not one in the south. Create a virtual foster family and forget expanding the sister city program.
With every sister city the extent of opportunity for our city council to travel abroad increases as does the Council's overseas travel costs.
With every new Sister City our existing sister city relationships begin to suffer. We should not adopt another.
Enough is enough. Melbourne must say no to another sister city. Already the existing siblings are suffering from a lack of attention with China being the latest exotic must visit destination.
Oblivious of the costs John So is prepared to spend up big on what ever comes his way.
If the City of Melbourne is allowed to increase the number of sister cities then we can expect that India will be the next exotic destination for our City Councillors and staff to spend corporate, ratepayer funded, holidays abroad.
Under John So's leadership our City Council has become the biggest spending Council in the history of Melbourne and John So shows no sign of fiscal restraint. John So is willing to close his eyes and block his ears to a Greater Melbourne at home but is happy to expand Melbourne abroad.
John So should put the idea of another sister city to a referendum of ratepayers along with the full costs and implications of having a new sibling and see if ratepayers support his global expansion plans.
Melbourne's current sister cities include
Talk to Kevin Chamberlain or Trevor Huggard (both Former Lord Mayors) and they will explain the past policy in more detail.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
City Council goes shopping Ratepayers foot the bill of extravagance unchecked
Melbourne's Herald Sun exposes and extra-ordinary tale of City Council Staff spending ratepayers money on a world shopping tour.
This information was only made available following the publication of the Councils travel register which records the costs of staff and councillor's interstate and overseas travel.
We are just beginning to know why the City Council was prepared to go all out - no expenses spared - to avoid publication of this public document.
What's worst is that the Staff tried to compromise one councillor by inviting then to join them on this shopping tour.
Enough is enough. If John So and his team are unwilling or unable to bring the administration in line and keep their hands out of the cookie jar then there is need for more restrictions and control to avoid ratepayers money being wasted on this sort of junkets, misuse and abuse.
The City administration are out of control and and show no remorse.
Its time for the restoration of open and transparent governance open the administration held more accountable. John So and our elected Council sadly have failed us in this respect.
Corruption begins to flourish when information is denied and were accountability stops.
Glitz blitz on the public purse
Jen Kelly
city editor
23may06
A LAVISH shopping junket to New York, Paris and London's ritziest stores for two bureaucrats emptied the public purse of at least $33,000.
The pair enjoyed a shopaholic's dream with stops in posh Saks Fifth Ave, Louis Vuitton and glamorous Madison Ave boutiques in New York. In London, they visited expensive Harrods and Selfridges, and in Paris, the palatial Galeries Lafayette and famous Le Bon Marche.
Itinerary notes for London included "look at how Harrods has stayed so popular" and "walk down Oxford St visiting and discussing different retail concepts".
Ratepayers are furious at the waste of money.
Cr Fiona Snedden had been expected to join the world shopping tour, but took a $9369 seven-day ratepayer-funded trip to China instead.
Melbourne City Council ratepayers footed a $17,441 bill to send marketing officer Kristy Taylor on the 10-day whirlwind junket to compare overseas and local shops.
It cost ratepayers $3169 -- almost $800 a night -- for Ms Taylor's four nights at the stylish Hudson Hotel in New York, including meals.
Her bill included another $3248 for seven nights at the upmarket London Green Park Hilton Hotel in Mayfair.
Ms Taylor, the council's program manager, destination marketing, also swiped her council-funded credit card for costly restaurant meals.
And taxpayers paid about $16,000 to send a State Government bureaucrat to join Ms Taylor on the "global retail mission" in October.
Ratepayers also effectively funded the estimated $16,000 bill of a third member of the tour, a delegate from retail trend forecaster the Future Laboratory.
The council and State Government paid $50,000 each to the Future Laboratory to help develop a retail strategy for Melbourne, and the world tour was a central component of that project.
The third delegate's costs raised the bill to the public to almost $50,000.
Small Business Minister Andre Haermeyer spokeswoman, Claire Miller, at first declined to disclose the cost of the state bureaucrat's trip, but confirmed last night it was $16,200.
The city council also confirmed the cost of each delegate's trip was about $16,000.
Ms Miller refused to name the official, a non-executive officer from the Office of Manufacturing and Service Industries in the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
A fourth and final tour delegate, from the GPT Group, the owner of shopping mecca Melbourne Central, did not receive public funding.
Council documents show Ms Taylor enjoyed an extra one to two nights in New York and an extra three to four nights in London beyond the time required for the shopping tour.
Southbank Residents Group president Joe Bagnara has slammed the junket.
"They go on these junkets, but it's not the city council that are running shops. They're not selling anything," he said.
"They'd be better off subsidising retailers to do the trip if they feel it's to their advantage.
"The retailers are better qualified to make comments on the retail market than the council."
The retail strategy, supposed to be released last month, is yet to surface. The council said it would now be released by July.
The council said the strategy aimed to position Melbourne as Australia's leading retail city.
Ms Miller said it was important to assess other leading retail centres to understand emerging trends and opportunities.
This information was only made available following the publication of the Councils travel register which records the costs of staff and councillor's interstate and overseas travel.
We are just beginning to know why the City Council was prepared to go all out - no expenses spared - to avoid publication of this public document.
What's worst is that the Staff tried to compromise one councillor by inviting then to join them on this shopping tour.
Enough is enough. If John So and his team are unwilling or unable to bring the administration in line and keep their hands out of the cookie jar then there is need for more restrictions and control to avoid ratepayers money being wasted on this sort of junkets, misuse and abuse.
The City administration are out of control and and show no remorse.
Its time for the restoration of open and transparent governance open the administration held more accountable. John So and our elected Council sadly have failed us in this respect.
Corruption begins to flourish when information is denied and were accountability stops.
Glitz blitz on the public purse
Jen Kelly
city editor
23may06
A LAVISH shopping junket to New York, Paris and London's ritziest stores for two bureaucrats emptied the public purse of at least $33,000.
The pair enjoyed a shopaholic's dream with stops in posh Saks Fifth Ave, Louis Vuitton and glamorous Madison Ave boutiques in New York. In London, they visited expensive Harrods and Selfridges, and in Paris, the palatial Galeries Lafayette and famous Le Bon Marche.
Itinerary notes for London included "look at how Harrods has stayed so popular" and "walk down Oxford St visiting and discussing different retail concepts".
Ratepayers are furious at the waste of money.
Cr Fiona Snedden had been expected to join the world shopping tour, but took a $9369 seven-day ratepayer-funded trip to China instead.
Melbourne City Council ratepayers footed a $17,441 bill to send marketing officer Kristy Taylor on the 10-day whirlwind junket to compare overseas and local shops.
It cost ratepayers $3169 -- almost $800 a night -- for Ms Taylor's four nights at the stylish Hudson Hotel in New York, including meals.
Her bill included another $3248 for seven nights at the upmarket London Green Park Hilton Hotel in Mayfair.
Ms Taylor, the council's program manager, destination marketing, also swiped her council-funded credit card for costly restaurant meals.
And taxpayers paid about $16,000 to send a State Government bureaucrat to join Ms Taylor on the "global retail mission" in October.
Ratepayers also effectively funded the estimated $16,000 bill of a third member of the tour, a delegate from retail trend forecaster the Future Laboratory.
The council and State Government paid $50,000 each to the Future Laboratory to help develop a retail strategy for Melbourne, and the world tour was a central component of that project.
The third delegate's costs raised the bill to the public to almost $50,000.
Small Business Minister Andre Haermeyer spokeswoman, Claire Miller, at first declined to disclose the cost of the state bureaucrat's trip, but confirmed last night it was $16,200.
The city council also confirmed the cost of each delegate's trip was about $16,000.
Ms Miller refused to name the official, a non-executive officer from the Office of Manufacturing and Service Industries in the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
A fourth and final tour delegate, from the GPT Group, the owner of shopping mecca Melbourne Central, did not receive public funding.
Council documents show Ms Taylor enjoyed an extra one to two nights in New York and an extra three to four nights in London beyond the time required for the shopping tour.
Southbank Residents Group president Joe Bagnara has slammed the junket.
"They go on these junkets, but it's not the city council that are running shops. They're not selling anything," he said.
"They'd be better off subsidising retailers to do the trip if they feel it's to their advantage.
"The retailers are better qualified to make comments on the retail market than the council."
The retail strategy, supposed to be released last month, is yet to surface. The council said it would now be released by July.
The council said the strategy aimed to position Melbourne as Australia's leading retail city.
Ms Miller said it was important to assess other leading retail centres to understand emerging trends and opportunities.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Publication of Council's travel costs and expenses under valuedCall for further review by the State Ombudsman Department
The Herald Sun, following the updated publication of Melbourne Travel Register and Councillor expenses.
Missing from the published expenses is the costs associated with the Lord Mayors and Deputy Lord Mayors Council funded Limousines and the costs associated with internal catering.
The City Council administration continues to avoid full disclosure of Council's costs. City of Melbourne's Linda Weatherspoon has still not responded to our request for information and details of costs.
The published statements are false and not a true or accurate statement of costs. The Travel register is maintained on an electronic white Bord, contains not proper record identification which leaves it wide open to misuse and abuse with records able to be be removed , deleted or amended without any proper audit trail or accountability. (The Council has still failed to account for 10,000's of dollars of expenses that mysteriously have never been included on the published statements.)
This comes as no surprise as the Council is never held to account by the elected representatives. WHY? because they also have their hands in the cookie jar and are implicated and as such have adopted a policy of avoidance.
The Council's continued refusal to provide open and transparent governance leaves the City Council wide open to continued corruption. (See previous posts on Ombudsman inquiry into Traffic fines)
The City Council maintains detailed records of internal catering costs but refuse to publish them. Likewise details of costs of the Council's vehicle fleet are maintained but the City Council refuses to include these costs in the Councillors expense statements. This under values the true costs of the City administration and brings the Councils financial and quality of it's audit into question. Most of the problems are solely due to the policy of the City Councils Governance department headed by Linda Weatherspoon and sanctioned by the CEO and the elected Council.
Linda Weatherspoon continues to misuse and abuse of the FOI process is concern. The policy and administration of the City Council governance department should be subject of further review by the State Ombudsman in the coming months ( Stay tuned).
$400,000 council globetrot
Jen Kelly, city editor
02may06
LORD Mayor John So and the city council splurged more than $400,000 on 34 overseas and 70 interstate junkets in the past year, new documents reveal.
Jen Kelly, city editor
02may06
LORD Mayor John So and the city council splurged more than $400,000 on 34 overseas and 70 interstate junkets in the past year, new documents reveal.
The costliest was a $23,225 three-week trip for an executive to attend sister-city celebrations in Boston and a biotech conference in Philadelphia.
Ratepayers also footed an $8374 bill to fly in three Play School presenters for the Moomba parade and three entertainers for the Queen's Baton Relay in March.
Reports on the council's website at the weekend show the 12-month bill up to March is almost $408,000, with further costs to be finalised.
Spin-doctor Hayden Cock, who is believed to earn more than $200,000, enjoyed his first ratepayer-funded trip less than four months into his job.
Mr Cock was appointed to improve council's image with ratepayers after a series of scandals, several centred on Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer.
Mr Cock's two-day trip to Sydney to attend a "managing reputation risk" conference in March cost ratepayers almost $3500 for air fares and the conference fee alone.
The corporate affairs director's accommodation bill is yet to emerge.
The nine councillors including Cr So spent $87,465 on travel. City of Melbourne staff, mostly executives, spent the rest.
The bill includes:
$1060 for an arts project officer to go to a NSW conference on "future directions for the pipe organ in Australia".
$2250 to send design and culture director Rob Adams to Hong Kong for two days to verify production of a material for council building CH2.
$3300 for a council landscape architect to fly to sister city Tianjin in China for a week to ensure project managers had correctly interpreted plans for the Melbourne Children's Garden. Council is spending $180,000 on the garden.
$15,070 for marketing manager Scott Chapman to attend the World Swimming Championships in Montreal.
$16,163 for Mr Chapman to take a 19-day trip to London and Ireland.
Of the nine councillors, Cr Singer was the most expensive and extensive globetrotter.
His trips to Milan, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Perth and Canberra cost ratepayers $36,563.
The second biggest spender among the councillors was Cr So, whose $23,771 in travel included San Francisco, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Beijing, his birthplace Hong Kong, and Adelaide.
City of Melbourne chief executive officer David Pitchford defended the spending, saying travel was undertaken when necessary in order for council officers to fulfil their duties and when it was for the benefit for the city.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
John So and Co spend up big 32 Million Dollars spent on Games and $170,000 on free tickets for Councillors, Staff, invitees and hangers-on
John So spends up Big using ratepayers money to fund Councillors, Staff and guests.
The Herald sun reports that the City Council will have spent 32 Million dollars on the Commonwealth Games.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more had been spent not only by this council but also the previous two Councils including free trips to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Trips during and after the Manchester games in London and staff have also been spending big visiting various sporting events around the world all attributed to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
If there were Gold medals on offer for the most perks and less then the City Council would be a major contender. No accountability and no shame.
Like pigs with snorts in the trough eating cream.
John So and his fellow Councillors and senior staff have been living a International jet-set playboy like millionaire businessman lifestyle at ratepayers expense. $800.00 a night 5 star accommodation, fist class business travel costing $20,000 a week. Last year the Council spent $400,000 in overseas trips alone.
"Melbourne City Council will spend $170,000 on 728 Games tickets and spots in the lavish, 16-seat hospitality box with most tickets going to hangers-on" reports the Herald Sun
The Melbourne City Council, forever seeking to avoid disclosure and accountability, has consistently refused to release details of invitees, including who will take up 37 opening ceremony tickets costing $590 each with Chinese guests receiving the lions a share of invitations on offer. ( And I thought Hong Kong was no longer part of the Commonwealth)
No one in the Council seams to knows what is going on and or how much it is really costing the City. David Pitchford, Melbourne City Council CEO, reports 21 delegates from Tianjin had accepted invitations, but Cr So last night claimed it was only 12. (Who is telling the truth). Seems like our communist siblings are also into free junkets when they are on offer.
Quarter of a million dollars in contingency funding above and beyond the money already spent and allocated. Council staff will be treated to city accommodation for the Games, costing $13,000. (Don't they have homes?)
Meanwhile Staff have been distracted from their normal duties with their attention focused on the 2 week Games event next month.
Comments reported in the Herald-sun allude to John So and his fellow Councillors looking to impress in the hope of securing reciprocal invites to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
John So and the City Council are up for re-election in November 2008 and given the bill they are racking up I doubt if any of them will be re-elected but John is hoping to scam a few more benefits before he hands over the gold chains and robe (We're still not sure about who owns the possum skin coat)
Meanwhile the City Council continues to avoid full disclosure of the costs associated with internal catering, inbound missions and the cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousines estimated to be all up costing ratepayers all up over one million dollars a year. It would have to be one of the most corrupt governments in Australia with the amount of money they spend avoiding accountability getting well into the 100's of thousands of dollars.
The City Council should come clean and publish on it's internet site a full account of Games expenditure for all to see and let them be the judge if the excesses of our Lord Mayor, Councillors and staff can be justified.
Have no fear if they continue to abuse the system and refuse to publish the information we will make an FoI application and raise this issue again around budget time. The can continue to waste Council's funds and resources but they will in the end be held to account.
The Herald sun reports that the City Council will have spent 32 Million dollars on the Commonwealth Games.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more had been spent not only by this council but also the previous two Councils including free trips to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Trips during and after the Manchester games in London and staff have also been spending big visiting various sporting events around the world all attributed to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
If there were Gold medals on offer for the most perks and less then the City Council would be a major contender. No accountability and no shame.
Like pigs with snorts in the trough eating cream.
John So and his fellow Councillors and senior staff have been living a International jet-set playboy like millionaire businessman lifestyle at ratepayers expense. $800.00 a night 5 star accommodation, fist class business travel costing $20,000 a week. Last year the Council spent $400,000 in overseas trips alone.
"Melbourne City Council will spend $170,000 on 728 Games tickets and spots in the lavish, 16-seat hospitality box with most tickets going to hangers-on" reports the Herald Sun
The Melbourne City Council, forever seeking to avoid disclosure and accountability, has consistently refused to release details of invitees, including who will take up 37 opening ceremony tickets costing $590 each with Chinese guests receiving the lions a share of invitations on offer. ( And I thought Hong Kong was no longer part of the Commonwealth)
No one in the Council seams to knows what is going on and or how much it is really costing the City. David Pitchford, Melbourne City Council CEO, reports 21 delegates from Tianjin had accepted invitations, but Cr So last night claimed it was only 12. (Who is telling the truth). Seems like our communist siblings are also into free junkets when they are on offer.
Quarter of a million dollars in contingency funding above and beyond the money already spent and allocated. Council staff will be treated to city accommodation for the Games, costing $13,000. (Don't they have homes?)
Meanwhile Staff have been distracted from their normal duties with their attention focused on the 2 week Games event next month.
Comments reported in the Herald-sun allude to John So and his fellow Councillors looking to impress in the hope of securing reciprocal invites to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
John So and the City Council are up for re-election in November 2008 and given the bill they are racking up I doubt if any of them will be re-elected but John is hoping to scam a few more benefits before he hands over the gold chains and robe (We're still not sure about who owns the possum skin coat)
Meanwhile the City Council continues to avoid full disclosure of the costs associated with internal catering, inbound missions and the cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousines estimated to be all up costing ratepayers all up over one million dollars a year. It would have to be one of the most corrupt governments in Australia with the amount of money they spend avoiding accountability getting well into the 100's of thousands of dollars.
The City Council should come clean and publish on it's internet site a full account of Games expenditure for all to see and let them be the judge if the excesses of our Lord Mayor, Councillors and staff can be justified.
Have no fear if they continue to abuse the system and refuse to publish the information we will make an FoI application and raise this issue again around budget time. The can continue to waste Council's funds and resources but they will in the end be held to account.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Council's avoidance and censorship Finance Committee minutes confirms Councillors' refusal to publish reports that are critical of the Council
Minutes of the City of Melbourne Finance and Corporate Performance (sic) committee meeting held last Tuesday (February 7, 2006) confirm that the city of Melbourne did not consider in detail the recommendation contain in the various items of correspondence
Copies of correspondence was circulated to Councillors but the Council in a deliberate attempt of avoidance refused to publish the reports and make them available to the public. WHY?
Committee chairman Councillor Brian Shanahan has failed to provide an explanation. Missing in the documentation and deliberations of the Committee are recommendations for the City of Melbourne to publish expenses related to in-house catering and the cost associated with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Council funded limousines. Clearly the Council does not want this information made public - what is it the are trying to hide that they go to extraorindary lengths to avoid?
Whilst the City Council has agreed to publish in-bound travel expenses funded by the Council the full costs of in-bound missions will not be disclosed with the cost of travel being a small part of the overall cost of in-bound missions.
Why did the Council agree to publish limited information on in-bound missions but refused to publish travel costs associated the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousines and Council's in-house catering bill?
The City of Melbourne continues to deny the public access to information in what is seen as an ongoing abuse of process.
The public have a right to know the full costs and details of council expenditure. The question that is outstanding is the City of Melbourne still intending to produce a report on the full cost of In-bound Missions and will that report be tabled in an open and public meeting?
Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley in December 2005 moved a motion that the in-bound mission report as requested by Cr Snedden be referred to a secret 'illegal' meeting of Council behind closed (Shame Fraser Shame). The holding of secret meetings is contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Act and the principle of open and transparent governance which require that all public documents and deliberations of Council be made in open public meetings.
Whilst it has been noted that Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley has expressed regret in moving the motion in december he never the less has failed to re-address this issue and continues, along with other Councillors, to support the suppression of reports and documents that expose the true cost of governance of the City of Melbourne. Is this the quaility of Governance we can expect form the Greens should they be elected to State Parliament? Given their current performance I do not think they will make it.
The report and recommendations that have been withheld by the City Council outlined a number of concerns related to errors and omissions in the Council's published data and included recommendations protect the integrity of the Council's financial registers against possible fraud and deception.
The Council Travel Register in its current form is an electronic whiteboard open to abuse and misuse with staff able to alter, remove or delete information without detection.
The report recommended that Council include a Record Id number (Which is normal professional practice) to assist in the proper audit of the register information and to help prevent misuse, abuse and possible fraud. Previous copies of the Travel Register have been modified to remove undisclosed expenses related to former Councillor Anthony Nicholson's St Petersburg 'mid summer' tour, with $8,000.00 still missing from the published Councillor expense statements.
The City Council continue to avoid accountability as opposed to accepting responsibility by talking action to prevent ongoing misuse and abuse of the Council administration who are engaged in a excerise of cover-up and denial. Until they address the issue in a professional and proper manner the problems identified will not disappear. Advodiance and denial is not the answer.
Tuesday's Finance and Corporate Performance (sic) committee meeting also failed to publish and consider items of correspondence in relation to item 5.7 "Council's Long Stay Car Park Levy" and its "Transport policy".
If the Melbourne City Council can not demonstrate its ability to self-govern and continues to avoided addressing this issue in a proper and responsible manner then the only other alternative is to refer the issue to the State office of the Auditor General and Ombudsman for review and further consideration.
6. GENERAL BUSINESS (agenda item 6)
6.1 Response to Correspondence Received by Mr Anthony van der Craats
The Chair referred to the matter previously raised in relation to the correspondence of 4 February 2006 (which incorporated information contained in correspondence dated 24 December 2005) 3rd, 2nd and 1st February 2006 received from Mr Anthony van der Craats. The Chair, Cr Shanahan, moved the following motion: “That the Finance and Corporate Performance Committee note the correspondence and include in quarterly travel reports to Committee a register of in-bound travel funded by Council.” Cr Snedden seconded the motion.
The motion was put and carried unanimously.
Copies of correspondence was circulated to Councillors but the Council in a deliberate attempt of avoidance refused to publish the reports and make them available to the public. WHY?
Committee chairman Councillor Brian Shanahan has failed to provide an explanation. Missing in the documentation and deliberations of the Committee are recommendations for the City of Melbourne to publish expenses related to in-house catering and the cost associated with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Council funded limousines. Clearly the Council does not want this information made public - what is it the are trying to hide that they go to extraorindary lengths to avoid?
Whilst the City Council has agreed to publish in-bound travel expenses funded by the Council the full costs of in-bound missions will not be disclosed with the cost of travel being a small part of the overall cost of in-bound missions.
Why did the Council agree to publish limited information on in-bound missions but refused to publish travel costs associated the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousines and Council's in-house catering bill?
The City of Melbourne continues to deny the public access to information in what is seen as an ongoing abuse of process.
The public have a right to know the full costs and details of council expenditure. The question that is outstanding is the City of Melbourne still intending to produce a report on the full cost of In-bound Missions and will that report be tabled in an open and public meeting?
Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley in December 2005 moved a motion that the in-bound mission report as requested by Cr Snedden be referred to a secret 'illegal' meeting of Council behind closed (Shame Fraser Shame). The holding of secret meetings is contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Act and the principle of open and transparent governance which require that all public documents and deliberations of Council be made in open public meetings.
Whilst it has been noted that Greens Councillor Fraser Brindley has expressed regret in moving the motion in december he never the less has failed to re-address this issue and continues, along with other Councillors, to support the suppression of reports and documents that expose the true cost of governance of the City of Melbourne. Is this the quaility of Governance we can expect form the Greens should they be elected to State Parliament? Given their current performance I do not think they will make it.
The report and recommendations that have been withheld by the City Council outlined a number of concerns related to errors and omissions in the Council's published data and included recommendations protect the integrity of the Council's financial registers against possible fraud and deception.
The Council Travel Register in its current form is an electronic whiteboard open to abuse and misuse with staff able to alter, remove or delete information without detection.
The report recommended that Council include a Record Id number (Which is normal professional practice) to assist in the proper audit of the register information and to help prevent misuse, abuse and possible fraud. Previous copies of the Travel Register have been modified to remove undisclosed expenses related to former Councillor Anthony Nicholson's St Petersburg 'mid summer' tour, with $8,000.00 still missing from the published Councillor expense statements.
The City Council continue to avoid accountability as opposed to accepting responsibility by talking action to prevent ongoing misuse and abuse of the Council administration who are engaged in a excerise of cover-up and denial. Until they address the issue in a professional and proper manner the problems identified will not disappear. Advodiance and denial is not the answer.
Tuesday's Finance and Corporate Performance (sic) committee meeting also failed to publish and consider items of correspondence in relation to item 5.7 "Council's Long Stay Car Park Levy" and its "Transport policy".
If the Melbourne City Council can not demonstrate its ability to self-govern and continues to avoided addressing this issue in a proper and responsible manner then the only other alternative is to refer the issue to the State office of the Auditor General and Ombudsman for review and further consideration.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Singer's expensive travel billDeputy Lord Mayor spends up big on entertainment, overseas and interstate travel - Information revealed yesterday
Singer's $36,000 travel bill
Herald Sun by Jen Kelly 03feb06 (Printed in full below)
GARY Singer's globetrotting costs have been exposed in full with documents revealing $36,563 spent on junkets in only seven months.
The Deputy Lord Mayor enjoyed at least five jaunts from April to October last year.
Documents dumped on the City of Melbourne website last night also show ratepayers spent almost $400,000 for trips by councillors and staff in the year to December 1.
Cr Singer travelled to Milan, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Perth, Canberra and Sydney.
In all, Melbourne's nine councillors spent $85,611 on junkets from February to October last year. But the greatest costs to ratepayers were trips by staff and directors, hidden until last night, including:
A $16,029 11-day trip for a council worker to London, Paris, New York and Birmingham as part of a "global retail study tour".
A $21,827 15-day trip for a staff member for a trade alliance in the US and "study tour" in Ireland.
A $16,163 19-day trip to London and Ireland in June and a $14,709 seven-day trip to the Montreal World Swimming Championships in July for the marketing director.
Separate documents released this week reveal the nine councillors notched up $140,000 in expenses in the 13 months since their election -- with Cr Singer by far the biggest spender.
The part-time deputy cost ratepayers $42,000 in expenses including travel. The hefty bill does not include Cr Singer's $45,000 annual allowance.
Council critic Anthony van der Craats said Lord Mayor John So and Cr Singer were set to break the previous council's record as the most expensive and highly travelled councillors in the state.
"The Lord Mayor and his deputy have already spent in their first year more then half of what was spent during the full term of the previous council," he said.
Cr Singer last night defended the spending. "Councillors incur expenses in discharging their responsibilities and they are entitled to be reimbursed for these expenses," he said in a statement. "My objective is to work in the best interests of Melbourne."
Herald Sun by Jen Kelly 03feb06 (Printed in full below)
GARY Singer's globetrotting costs have been exposed in full with documents revealing $36,563 spent on junkets in only seven months.
The Deputy Lord Mayor enjoyed at least five jaunts from April to October last year.
Documents dumped on the City of Melbourne website last night also show ratepayers spent almost $400,000 for trips by councillors and staff in the year to December 1.
Cr Singer travelled to Milan, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Perth, Canberra and Sydney.
In all, Melbourne's nine councillors spent $85,611 on junkets from February to October last year. But the greatest costs to ratepayers were trips by staff and directors, hidden until last night, including:
A $16,029 11-day trip for a council worker to London, Paris, New York and Birmingham as part of a "global retail study tour".
A $21,827 15-day trip for a staff member for a trade alliance in the US and "study tour" in Ireland.
A $16,163 19-day trip to London and Ireland in June and a $14,709 seven-day trip to the Montreal World Swimming Championships in July for the marketing director.
Separate documents released this week reveal the nine councillors notched up $140,000 in expenses in the 13 months since their election -- with Cr Singer by far the biggest spender.
The part-time deputy cost ratepayers $42,000 in expenses including travel. The hefty bill does not include Cr Singer's $45,000 annual allowance.
Council critic Anthony van der Craats said Lord Mayor John So and Cr Singer were set to break the previous council's record as the most expensive and highly travelled councillors in the state.
"The Lord Mayor and his deputy have already spent in their first year more then half of what was spent during the full term of the previous council," he said.
Cr Singer last night defended the spending. "Councillors incur expenses in discharging their responsibilities and they are entitled to be reimbursed for these expenses," he said in a statement. "My objective is to work in the best interests of Melbourne."
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Consolidated expenses Council administration's efforts and extent of non-disclosure and avoidance borders on corruption
Melbourne City Council has published its Councillor Expense Statements but still has failed to publish the Travel Register.
The graph below shows the consolidated expenses from December 2, 2004 to December 31, 2005 according to the information published by the City Council.
The graph below shows the consolidated expenses from December 2, 2004 to December 31, 2005 according to the information published by the City Council.
We have yet to do more detailed analysis but something tells us there is data and expenses missing which might explain why the Council are not prepared to publish the Travel Register.
Last time they Council published the Travel Register we discovered thousands of dollars of undisclosed Councillor expenses missing. The Council's excuse... The expenses had not been fully acquitted... some 18 months after the Council had paid out the money.(Our argument - If the money has been paid then it sould be listed. No secret bank account of payemnts under the table)
Missing in the above graph data is the cost of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limousine (Est at over $160,000 for the year), Internal Catering (est at $250,000.00) and other expenses that have not been disclosed and are hidden away under other budget items and creative accounting techniques. (We are trying to keep up with them - something our elected Councillors should be asking questions about but don't - maybe they have been compromised or bought by the administration)
The ongoing refusal of the Melbourne City Council to publish the Travel Register and other expense information is inefficient at best - outright corrupt at worst. The extraordinary extent that the administration goes to to avoid disclosure and accountability and the level of contempt they show towards the elected Council seriously borders on corruption.
I want to assure our readers and the Council Administration we will not let up on them until they come clean and provide open and transparent governance. and publish all public documents on the internet.
We will continue to hold them to account.
Added: 2 Feb 2006
July 1 2001 to November 30, 2004 Consolidated Councillor expense statements graph
By way of comparison and for the public record teh graph below show the consolidated travel expenses for teh previous Melbourne City Council July 2001 to November 2004
Note: Missing is over $8,000.00 atributed to Cr Anthony Nicholson - unaccounted for and not included in the published expense statements. We identified this problem and although the Council had paid-out this money it still is not listed in the published Councillor Expenses, WHY?
We call on the Council auditors to provide an explaination, its been well over two years and surely money paid-out is an expense and not dependant on Cr Nicholson proviing receipts. If no answers are received soon we will ask the State Auditor General's department to investigate.
The published expense statements do not list:
- the costs associated with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor's Limosines.
- allowances paid to the Lord Mayor ($380,000), Deputy Lord Mayor ($155,454 ) and Councillors ($68,363)
- internal catering (estimated to be worth over $750,000)
- Other costs have been hidden and attributed to other budget items and not disclosed.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
City Council splurge on Games Ratepayers continue to foot the bill as the full expenses are hidden from public view
Melbourne City Council spends up big on the Commonwealth Games. The Herald-Sun today reports that the City Councillors will spend in excess of $170,000.00 on Commonwealth Games tickets. And that is just the tip of the Ice Berg.
Herald Sun: Ratepayers foot Commonwealth Games splurge bill [31jan06] by Jen Kelly
Herald Sun: Ratepayers foot Commonwealth Games splurge bill [31jan06] by Jen Kelly
The City Council has spent much much more overall, most of the expenditure has been hidden away under creative accounting and other budget items. The previous two Councils had spent 100's of thousands of dollars visiting the Sydney Olympics, Junkets to Manchester - London and the like all in the name of the Games.
Part-time Labor Councillor Kate Redwood (Yes the same Kate Redwood elected on the back of McClowns push for the top job). Kate spent over $20,000.00 on a five day visit/junket to Manchester in 2003. To what benefit? Kate was not directly involved in the planning or organisation of the event and has little to no experience, knowledge and skills in sports/event planning.
The concerns expressed by Cr Ng are highly dubious if not deceitful. Surely Ng knew about these expenses before today? If not she should have. She comes out and expresses concern about the level of unbudgeted expenditure only after the Herald-Sun catches them out.
Council expenses, which are due to be published today, are all funded by a bottomless pit of contingent funding from consolidated revenue. We have constantly requested the council provide a budget for Councilor expenses but they never release this information Why?. Because they do not have a budget preferring instead to just pay the cost as and when they occur. No constraints, no financial management and no responsibility.
We challenge and call on the City Council to provide a full detailed account of Games related expenditure so that ratepayers can be informed of the full cost benefits to the City in hosting this two week event.
Game on
Update: For more information and review see Andrew Landeryou's Blog for Freedom article on Cr Ng "Snouts in the trough"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)