Cairns Mayor Terry James is facing scrutiny from fellow councillors over his frequent trips to the nation's capital, with questions being raised about the cost to ratepayers and the transparency surrounding these visits.
Between August 2023 and February 2024, Mayor James made four separate trips to Canberra, accumulating total costs of approximately $40,000 that were covered by the Cairns Regional Council. The expenses included flights, accommodation, and other travel-related costs for the mayor and occasionally accompanying staff members.
Councillors Demand Financial Transparency
The issue came to a head during a recent council meeting when several councillors expressed concerns about the frequency and purpose of these capital visits. Councillor Brett Moller pointedly questioned whether the substantial expenditure was delivering adequate value for the Cairns community.
"We need to ensure that every dollar spent is in the best interests of our ratepayers," Moller stated during the meeting. "When we're talking about $40,000 in travel expenses over a relatively short period, we owe it to the community to demonstrate clear outcomes from these investments."
Council documents revealed that the trips included meetings with various federal ministers and departmental officials. However, some councillors noted that detailed reports on the outcomes and benefits of these meetings remained scarce.
Mayor Defends Capital Engagement
In response to the questioning, Mayor James defended his travel schedule as essential for advancing Cairns' interests at the federal level. He emphasized that face-to-face meetings in Canberra were crucial for securing funding and support for key local projects.
"Building relationships with decision-makers in Canberra is fundamental to delivering for our community," Mayor James explained. "These trips have directly contributed to progress on major infrastructure projects and federal funding agreements that benefit Cairns."
The mayor highlighted several achievements he attributed to his capital engagements, including advancements in the Cairns Water Security Project and discussions about crucial road funding. He argued that the cost of travel represented a minor investment compared to the potential returns in federal support.
Calls for Improved Reporting Procedures
The debate has sparked calls for improved reporting procedures regarding mayoral travel. Several councillors suggested implementing more rigorous requirements for post-trip reports that clearly outline outcomes and benefits.
Councillor Kristy Vallely noted that while engagement with federal officials was important, the council needed better mechanisms to track the effectiveness of such interactions. "It's not just about how much we're spending, but what we're achieving with that spending," she remarked.
The council has now requested a more detailed breakdown of the costs and outcomes from the Canberra trips. Some councillors have also suggested establishing clearer guidelines for future travel approvals to ensure better accountability.
As the discussion continues, the Cairns community watches closely, with many ratepayers expressing interest in how their money is being spent on representation at the national level. The outcome of this transparency push could set important precedents for how local government travel and engagement activities are documented and justified in the future.
