Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood under fire for upcoming trip to London

The jetsetting Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood has come under fire for an upcoming trip to London that would have cost taxpayers more than $10,000. It’s not his first travel bill.

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood at Prince's Square, Launceston ahead of Junction Arts Festival 2024. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

The jetsetting ways of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood have been shot down by his fellow councillors, who say taxpayers should not foot-the-bill for his upcoming $10,000 trip to London.

Mr Garwood asked his colleagues to authorise payment for his travel to the British capital to attend the City Nation Place Global conference between November 6 and November 7, where Launceston Central’s The Lounge is in the running for a branding award.

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood with Katy Perry at the 2024 AFL Grand Final. Picture: supplied

Airfare, lodging, and travel agency fees for the trip cost a combined $10,608, a figure Deputy Mayor Hugh McKenzie said was “not a good look” given the current financial situation across the city.

“While I think this would be a laudable thing for us to go and support Launceston Central, I’m not sure that the ratepayers of Launceston will necessarily see it the same way,” he said.

The mayor has had his fair share of council-funded trips.

In May, Mt Garwood ventured to Phuket, Thailand, on “official duties” as part of the city’s delegation to the annual UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy conference, costing an estimated $3700.

From November 17 to November 19, Mr Garwood will travel to Canberra with the chief executive to lobby relevant ministers on behalf of the council, totalling $1360 for the mayor.

Another domestic trip scheduled to Margaret River in Western Australia is set for December 2 to December 4 for $3311.

Funds for both mainland trips will be drawn from the Councillor Development budget – and this time, was endorsed by councillors.

Celebrating Launceston and the Tamar Valley being named the #4 must-visit destination in the world with Stillwater Restaurant owner Bianca Welsh and daughter Rani Welsh, Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood, West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl, and House of Arras Cellar Door Manager William Doggett. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Mr Garwood will now attend the upcoming City Nation Place Awards in London next week on his own dime.

“Having also been named as Australia’s only entry as the number four Region in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025, this has further fuelled my ambitious plans and advocacy for the city,“ Mr Garwood said.

Mr Garwood said Launceston would be up against entries from Denmark, Hungary, and three locations in the US.

“Launceston is on the map,” he said.

“We have celebrities shouting us out, our arts and culture scene is world class, our food and beverage industry is globally recognised with UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy accreditation and we have sports people — literally the best in the world.

“There is serious momentum around Launceston right now, and I’m keen to explore new opportunities, create new networks, and continue to talk about Launceston with similar communities around the globe.

“If we want to go places, then we have to go places, and this is an opportunity to promote Launceston to a new audience and to forge new relationships.”

Originally published as Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood under fire for upcoming trip to London