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Hawkesbury City Council has issued a media release defending Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon’s participation in an overseas trade delegation to Kerala, India, following questions raised in a recent Hawkesbury Gazette article about the governance process used to approve the trip.
The council statement, released Tuesday 10 March, confirms that councillors formally endorsed Cr McMahon’s participation in the delegation at the 17 February 2026 council meeting.
According to the statement, the trade delegation was arranged by the Sydney Hills Business Chamber and is being funded by the Kerala State Government Tourism Department and Malaysian Airlines, with Hawkesbury City Council covering only the reimbursement of airport taxes estimated to be between $300 and $400.
The statement also confirms that the trip was originally scheduled to take place between 1–6 March 2026, but has since been deferred to a later date.
Mayor Les Sheather said the opportunity would help promote the Hawkesbury to international tourism markets.
“Tourism is one of the great drivers of the Hawkesbury economy, and raising its profile among one of our country’s largest sources of tourists can only mean great things for our City,” the Mayor said in the release.
The council statement also reiterates that the Deputy Mayor will report back to council on outcomes or opportunities for Hawkesbury City following the visit.
Deputy Mayor Targets Gazette Publisher
While the council’s official statement addressed funding and the purpose of the trip, the issue escalated further on social media when Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon posted a personal response criticising the Hawkesbury Gazette and its publisher.
In a Facebook post shared with followers, the Deputy Mayor wrote:
“... The Hawkesbury Gazette wants you to believe, the trip is NOT paid for by ratepayers, but for the small airport tax.”
She went on to accuse the Gazette publisher of:
“... deliberate and constant spreading of misinformation… vile, destructive and evil.”
The post also urged the publisher to “stop”.
What the Gazette Reported
The Gazette article did not state that ratepayers were funding the trip, but reported that:
- council endorsed the Deputy Mayor’s participation in the delegation
- council would reimburse airport taxes associated with the travel
- the remainder of the trip was funded externally
- the proposal was introduced via a Mayoral Minute rather than a staff report
The article also noted that the process is permitted under NSW local government rules, but that Mayoral Minutes bypass the standard staff reporting process that normally provides councillors and the public with additional analysis and background information.
It also highlighted that the Deputy Mayor declared a pecuniary interest and left the chamber during the vote, consistent with requirements under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
Questions About Process Remain
While the council statement clarified how the trip is funded, it did not address some of the governance questions raised in the Gazette report, including:
- why the matter was introduced through a Mayoral Minute rather than a staff report
- whether the invitation to participate had already been received before council endorsement
- what specific economic or trade opportunities are expected for the Hawkesbury region.
The council resolution requires the Deputy Mayor to report back to council on the outcomes of the delegation, including any opportunities identified for the city.
Media, Accountability and Public Debate
Public debate between elected officials and local media is not uncommon in local government.
Councillors are entitled to respond to media coverage and participate in political discussion. However, governance experts frequently note that because councillors hold public office and have significant public influence, responses that focus on correcting facts or providing additional information are generally considered more constructive than personal attacks.
What Happens Next
With the trip now postponed and a report back to council required, the key question for residents and businesses across the Hawkesbury remains:
What measurable benefit will the overseas trade delegation deliver for the local community?
The Hawkesbury Gazette will continue to follow this story as further details emerge.
