Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie cops flack for inviting 7 million Chinese people to Hobart last year

IT HAS been revealed Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie, who last week called on the State Government to stop selling Tasmania to the world, extended an open invitation to a city of 7.12 million people last year.

Lord Mayor Ron Christie invited the mayor of Fuzhou and its people to Hobart. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

HOBART Lord Mayor Ron Christie extended an open invitation to a city of more than seven million Chinese citizens last year.

Alderman Christie, who last week called on the State Government to stop selling Tasmania to the world, invited the mayor of Fuzhou and its people to Hobart.

Fuzhou has a population of about 7.12 million people.

Yesterday, Ald Christie defended the speech he made while on a ratepayer-funded trip to China, saying he was reciprocating a similar invitation from the Fuzhou Mayor.

“That’s not mass tourism. I did not invite China. I invited our sister city,” Ald Christie said.

According to a Hobart City Council report about the trip, Ald Christie made a speech during the visit at the signing of the Friendship Agreement with Fuzhou where he said: “Tourism in Hobart is growing steadily with visitor numbers increasing. This year we are approaching one million tourists including many Chinese visitors. I invite you to come to Hobart and experience our natural beauty and friendship”.

The council was invited by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on a concert tour to eastern China including Shanghai and Fuzhou.

Ald Christie and his partner, and Aldermen Jeff Briscoe and Tanya Denison were approved by council to represent the city on the concert tour.

Deputy Lord Mayor Peter Sexton attacked Lord Mayor Ron Christie’s recent comments about tourism and said they were at odds with his willingness to go on a trip to China to spruik Tasmania to Chinese tourists. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Deputy Lord Mayor Peter Sexton attacked Ald Christie’s recent comments about tourism and said they were at odds with his willingness to go on a trip to China to spruik Tasmania to Chinese tourists.

“It’s bewildering because he was perfectly happy to spend $20,000 of ratepayers’ money on a trip to China for he and his wife, designed to encourage the relationship between China and Hobart,” he said.

“A relationship, which was expected to result in increased tourism from China.

“It seems that having enjoyed the fruits of the labours of our ratepayers, the Lord Mayor is perfectly happy to work to undermine any economic benefits for those same ratepayers.”

Ald Christie said he did not want to go on the trip and was acting on behalf of then lord mayor Sue Hickey, who could not attend.

“The only two people who could sign that agreement was the Lord Mayor or the Deputy,” Ald Christie said.

“I stand totally accountable and transparent for that trip accompanied by my wife who acted as translator and interpreter for myself, Aldermen Jeff Briscoe, Tanya Denison at all schools and venues at no cost, saving more than $5000 in translator fees.

“I will defend my role as alderman, Lord Mayor and my family from any alderman who wishes to attack me for my comments or actions.”