Tech Council silent on employee’s ritzy Japan trip while on bail from DV charges
The Tech Council of Australia has refused to reveal if it knew Harry Godber was on bail over domestic violence charges when he took off on a ritzy work trip to Japan.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Tech Council of Australia has refused to reveal if it knew one of its employees was on bail over domestic violence charges when he took off on a ritzy work trip to Japan.
The Daily Telegraph revealed on Monday the council’s head of policy and strategy, Harry Godber, was arrested last Thursday.
He spent a night in custody before facing the Downing Centre Local Court, where he was granted bail after pleading not guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges related to Godber’s former partner allegedly being left with bruises following incidents at Millers Point on May 1 and May 5.
After being released from custody, it is understood Godber travelled to Japan as part of a group for trade show Expo 2025.
TCA — which counts billionaire and former Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar among its board members — has closed ranks and refused to say who funded the trip despite inquiries from The Daily Telegraph.
There is no suggestion Mr Farquhar or any other board member personally had any knowledge of the charges.
The council’s silence comes as the federal government distanced itself from the trip, with Austrade and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ruling out funding Godber’s travel.
On Tuesday, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources also told the Telegraph it had not funded Godber’s attendance at Expo 2025.
It added that Godber was not a part of the department’s own delegation, which is in Japan this week.
“Mr Godber is not part of the delegation DISR is hosting in Japan this week,” a spokesman for the department said.
“DISR has not provided any funding to support Mr Godber’s participation in Expo 2025 events.”
FinTech Australia — an organisation at which Godber was on the board — said he had voluntarily stepped down from his role there.
FinTech Australia did not fund the trip.
“We acknowledge the recently commenced case involving board member Harry Godber,” a spokeswoman said.
“As a result, he has voluntarily stepped down from his position on the FinTech Australia board until the matter is resolved, effective immediately.
“We respect all parties’ right to privacy, their right to due process and will not be providing commentary on this matter as the case progresses as this matter is now before the court.”
Originally published as Tech Council silent on employee’s ritzy Japan trip while on bail from DV charges
Wolverine could lure Ryan Reynolds to Sydney
The Wrexham football club — one of the most remarkable stories in world sport — is heading Down Under to play Sydney FC at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on July 15. Perhaps Ryan Reynolds’ famous friend could lure him here too.
Keep off the grass: Clover bans festivals in Sydney parks
Sydney risks losing music and culture festivals to cities like Melbourne due to a ban on using council parks for major events.
What would a snowy Sydney look like? AI artist’s frosty city
It’s not likely to happen this year or perhaps ever again, but an AI-generated video has imagined what it would look like if snow appeared in the Sydney CBD. SEE THE VIDEO.
Child killed, man pinned against wall in horror afternoon on roads
A six-year-old boy has died and several other people are in hospital following a horror afternoon on the state’s roads, with serious incidents from Sydney to the Far South Coast.
Pups wearing their heart on their harness
This two-word dog accessory is opening up conversation about doggie rescue and finding in-need pups their forever home.
This one’s for mum: Designer’s bittersweet Fashion Week debut
A top Australian designer has turned his Fashion Week show into a tribute to his late mum.