Junket reports for ratepayers
Fairfield Advance, Wednesday 2 April, 2008

FAIRFIELD councillors are being called upon to produce reports detailing their whereabouts at overseas and interstate conferences.

Independent Cr Thang Ngo said ratepayers had the right to know what they were up to on trips away.

"Given the number of conferences we attend each year and being mindful that residents are paying for our attendance, I think as a minimum, councillors should report back to council and the community," he said.

"Satisfying ratepayers that's important."

Councillors Del Bennett, Albert Mooshi, Frank Oliveri, Sarah Trapla, Thang Ngo, Mayor Nick Lalich and city manager Alan Young attended a three-day international gambling conference in Auckland, New Zealand, in February.

Thang Ngo was the only councillor to table a report on the trip.

The report lists 11 recommendations to council based on findings from the conference in Auckland.

In addition to tabling the report at the council chambers, Cr Ngo has posted it online for Fairfield residents to access.

Cr Ngo said councillors would benefit from being able to recap their experiences.

"By writing the report you consolidate the things you learn," he said.

The call for councillors to report back to the community is being backed by Fairfield/Liverpool Greens spokesman Bill Cashman.

A council spokeswoman did not respond to questions about the trip from the Fairfield Advance by deadline yesterday.