Rio, Tokyo, Shanghai: Nick Reece and the City of Melbourne’s jet-setting agenda

Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece and councillors plan to visit cities in China, India and Brazil over the coming months for “business missions” and leaders forums.

The overseas trips come as the council has had to put many of Reece’s ambitious election promises on ice as it tries to reduce the city’s debt from $212 million in the 2025-26 financial year.

Reece and the councillors are seeking approval for the trips at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday.

Reece wants to fly to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to participate in the World Mayors Summit and Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Forum from November 3 to 5.

His trip will be funded by C40 Cities, but will not include estimated incidental expenses of less than $1000.

The “business mission” to India will be led by unnamed councillors, who will visit Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai between November 16 and 23. It will cost $12,000 for each councillor for flights, accommodation, transport and meals.

Councillor Andrew Rowse plans to visit Shanghai between September 22 and 23 to attend the 2025 World Top-Performing Incubator Forum, which will be funded mainly by forum organisers at an estimated cost to the council of $900.

The council has already approved a Reece-led business mission to China and Japan – including to cities Chengdu, Nanjing, Tianjin, Osaka and Tokyo – which will cost $82,000 or $20,470 for each councillor. Councillors Kevin Louey, Philip Le Liu and Gladys Liu will join Reece.

Councillor Owen Guest said travel costs added up, especially when it was not just councillors attending but also the council’s executive team.

“Council travel should be questioned and cost should be kept to a minimum, and everything should be done transparently,” he said.

Guest questioned why a delegation from the City of Melbourne needed to travel to China after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travelled there in July and Premier Jacinta Allan planned to travel there next month.

“What does the City of Melbourne hope to achieve that the state [government] and federal government can’t?” he said. “We should know up front what it is going to cost and realistic estimates of the benefit. What is the benefit to the ratepayers? What will those who are paying the rates get out of it?”

Reece said the best way to secure investments for Melbourne was to build relationships with cities and leaders across the globe.

“The City of Melbourne has received 77 international delegations in the last two years, including mayors, vice-mayors, corporate and civic leaders,” he said. “It’s a two-way street, and we need to return the courtesy by engaging with global cities and partners in their home countries.”

Reece said Melbourne needed to move on from the pandemic and win new investment and connections for Melbourne.

“You can’t seize global opportunities from behind a desk at Melbourne Town Hall,” he said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.