Arabic version: مجلس داروين يؤكد بعثة تجارية إلى الصين وفيتنام

According to ABC News, Darwin City Council will lead about 10 businesses on a trade delegation to Guangzhou, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from December 8 to 16. Lord mayor Peter Styles will lead the mission, which the council says is intended to open economic opportunities for Darwin and the Top End.

The council confirmed that about $18,000 in ratepayer funding will be spent on the delegation. Businesses attending will pay for their own travel, while the council will provide support and facilitate introductions and networking with Asian businesses. Two council staff members will travel with the lord mayor.

General manager of innovation Alice Percy said the visit was not a “junket” and described it as an important economic opportunity for Darwin as a capital city. She said trade missions of this kind could bring approximately $250,000 a year into the economy. It will be the first overseas delegation led by the council since 2023.

The trip follows a 5.5 per cent rate rise six months earlier and the postponement of the annual pre-cyclone clean-up for 2026 until next May. The council had cited rising expenses and a large damage bill after a destructive cyclone season when the rate increase was announced.

Former Darwin lord mayor Graeme Sawyer said the council risked appearing out of touch with ratepayers and called for it to be open about the benefits and reasons for the venture. Residents Kathy Carter and Mike Sproule also questioned the spending. The council said a resolution on the delegation, initially made confidential, has now been made public.