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Junk the junkets

Councillor Wayne Smith and councillor Louise Berkelmans are having an extravagant fully paid $3700 junket by Casey Council to go to enjoy the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
They are being paid the air fare, $250, top hotel, $1250 and car hire, $350 each. Sheer arogance and abuse of power.
Ratepayers are angry that the junket is approved and paid by the council just after a massive rates increase.
Ratepayers believe that this is a serious breach of councillor duty and responsibility to the public.
Ratepayers believe that it was in breach of the conflict of interest that Cr Smith moved the resolution and Cr Berkelmans seconded the motion for their own junket.
The council has already funded a concert group to perform at the festival and there is no reason at all for councillors to enjoy the festival at public expense.
Councils have a responsibility and an obligation to deal with complaints openly and with transparancy required.
We demand that the council review this junket and rescind the resolution.
Keith Townsend,
Narre Warren.

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