Clover Moore has been slammed for slugging taxpayers with a $620,000 bill for an exclusive New Year’s Eve bash.
Sydney’s Lord Mayor is hosting the invite-only party at Dawes Point for 2000 guests including council employees, event sponsors and contest winners.
Labor councillor Linda Scott said the money spent on the extravagant event could be better allocated elsewhere.
Clover Moore (pictured with Hugh Jackman) has been slammed for slugging taxpayers with a $620,000 bill for an exclusive New Year’s Eve bash
Sydney’s Lord Mayor is hosting the invite-only party at Dawes Point for 2000 guests including council employees, event sponsors and contest winners (pictured are Sydney fireworks)
‘The funding for each exclusive Lord Mayoral New Year’s Eve party could fund a major park upgrade, or build a new basketball court,’ she said, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
‘The city is desperately in need of more infrastructure for our future, not exclusive parties for the Lord Mayor and her mates.’
A spokesperson for Ms Moore responded by denying the guests were directly chosen by the mayor.
‘It’s disappointing that Cr Scott is making baseless claims despite having access to the facts,’ he said.
Labor councillor Linda Scott (pictured) said the money spent on the extravagant event could be better allocated elsewhere
A spokesperson for Ms Moore (pictured, left, with artist Nadia Hernandez) responded by denying the guests were directly chosen by the mayor
The spokesperson said the event was vital, and served to thank government partners and sponsors of the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
The council is set to review the party in 2018, however, after a similar party previously hosted at Opera House was cancelled earlier in 2017.
Ms Moore came under fire this time last year when the budget for her 2016 New Year’s Eve party ballooned to $763,000.
She blamed the increased cost for ratepayers on New Year’s Eve falling on a weekend, which it does again this year.
Exclusive New Year’s Eve parties are not the only area where Ms Moore has been accused of lavish spending.
In June it was revealed the Lord Mayor has 22 full-time staff, almost as many as the New South Wales premier.
Attendees at the harbourside party this year will include representatives from sponsors the ABC, the Australian Radio Network and Unicef.
Staff from government agencies will also attend.
Actor Hugh Jackman is in Sydney for the fireworks, and was photographed with Ms Moore in the lead-up to the new year.
Ms Moore (pictured with Jack Thompson) came under fire this time last year when the budget for her 2017 New Year’s Eve party ballooned to $763,000