Come fly away

By Kelly Yates
CASEY councillors can now jet around the country after a ban on interstate travel was lifted at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The councillors voted unanimously to lift the ban which was introduced by the previous council in April last year to cover both interstate and overseas trips.
The ban on overseas travel will remain in place for this term of council.
The councillors decided interstate travel could be worthwhile after a briefing was held in May.
Councillor Aziz, who moved the motion, said he was concerned about some of the fine print in the initial policy.
“We need to remove the part which says that daily expenses will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $41 per day for items including room bar, private telephone charges, drinks other than those associated with meals and taxi fares other than those incurred travelling to and from the airport,” he said. “This all sounds like a junket and it’s not on. It’s outrageous.”
Cr Aziz said he was aware of shenanigans that had occurred in the past with previous councillors misusing their right to travel. “Councillors should not be taking part in leisurely activities at the cost of Casey ratepayers,” he said.
Cr Aziz’s proposed changes were made to the policy and adopted at the meeting.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford dubbed the ban on interstate and overseas travel made by the previous council as nothing but a “political stunt” in the lead up to last year’s elections.
Cr Wreford said she believed in educating and training councillors and senior officers where appropriate.
“I’ve been fortunate to travel and the knowledge, enthusiasm and refreshment you come back with is so valuable,” she said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Shar Balmes said at the time of running for Casey council she had no intention of utilising interstate or overseas travel.
“I was inexperienced as a councillor at the time and as you get educated you see the potential of travelling for education purposes,” she said.
Despite saying she could never see herself taking advantage of interstate travel, Cr Balmes said it shouldn’t be ruled out for everyone permanently.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said that in some cases overseas travel was cheaper than interstate travel.
Cr Smith, who has travelled both interstate and overseas on several occasions, said the travelling had helped him develop skills as a councillor and gave him the opportunity to promote the City of Casey to the rest of the world.
“It’s also a great networking tool,” he said. “I have contacts in the United States who I still stay in touch with about issues such as graffiti,” he said.
Councillors Lynette Keleher and Shar Balmes were not present at Tuesday night’s council meeting.