Perth Voice Interactive

AS the rest of us count our coppers following the federal Budget, Stirling city council is spending $25,000 to send two councillors to California for a three-day conference on sustainable infrastructure.

While there, councillors Joe Ferrante and David Lagan—both of them former Liberal candidates—will meet with LA mayor Eric Garcetti (or his representative) to talk about waste diversion (Stirling has recycled virtually none in nine months).

Last year the pair attended an audit conference in Orlando, Florida costing $32,750, despite Cr Lagan not being on the council’s audit committee.

Meanwhile, the council has agreed to spend $6545 flying mayor Giovanni Italiano and CEO Stuart Jardine business class to Canberra, where they’ll no doubt lobby for funding.

The total cost for their three-day stay will come to at least $8651, including two nights at a $360 per night hotel.

The bill could rise even further with Stirling planning to organise and host a joint function for Coalition ministers and MPs while in Canberra.

Business class is the norm, even for four-hour domestic flights.

When the Voice checked a flight comparison website, we found flights on November 25 and 27 for around $750 economy return—a full $5000 less than what ratepayers coughed up.

But Mr Jardine says business class is the norm, even for four-hour domestic flights.

“…the costs of air travel to and from conferences is to be booked business class on the most economical flight or economy class if business class is not available,” he says.

“However, a lobbying delegation is not covered under this policy and hence must go to council for approval.”

Representatives from Joondalup and Wanneroo city councils will join Cr Italiano on the trip, which will include joint and individual meetings with Coalition MPs.

“Lobbying trips to Canberra are an important way for the City of Stirling to actively build upon relationships with federal government representatives,” wrote council staff.

“Such trips help foster economically beneficial outcomes for the community.” Not to mention the airlines.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK