Mayor defends cocktails, AirPods, steaks, KFC credit card spend

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood has defended his spending on a work-issued credit card that racked up more than $17,000 over three years.

Documents obtained under Right to Information laws and seen by the ABC show spending by the elected official on items such as Apple AirPods, Tommy Hilfiger shirts, as well as numerous Uber Eats purchases.

Some of the larger charges included a night at Launceston bar Midnight Rambler, where $1,750 was spent on cocktails in December 2023.

In November 2024, Cr Garwood settled a $415.08 tab at a Canberra steakhouse, which included almost $200 on steaks, four cocktails and a $52 bottle of cabernet sauvignon.

Spending in November 2025 during a trip to Japan incurred one of the highest sums of nearly $2,500 and included food delivery and transport expenses.

Other food delivery orders included a $61.24 expense for KFC, delivered by Uber Eats in September 2025, as well as $83.75 for a four-person McDonald's bundle meal in the same month.

More drink charges appeared in September, including $50 on an espresso martini and a Long Island iced tea.

Who foots the bill?

The City of Launceston's councillor’s expenses and resources policy outlines specific rules as to what is acceptable expenditure.

Meals are claimable for reimbursement when "attending council business such as a conference, function or event where the meal is not provided as part of legislation, or a council event that requires overnight stay and meals are not provided at the venue," the policy states.

Each claim must also "clearly identify the purpose, in order to make clear the basis of the claim and its relation to the policy guidelines".

Taking to social media, Cr Garwood hit back at the implication he misused council funds, saying "context matters".

"The reported expenditure is covering travel, official functions, meetings, hosting, meals and equipment used in the role," he said.

"This isn't a secret credit card operating without oversight."

Cr Garwood said the Tommy Hilfiger polo shirts were branded shirts given to delegates for the tour of Japan and that he chose long sleeves to cover his tattoos to be "mindful of Japanese culture".

The AirPods, also for the overseas tour, were purchased for their translation function, Cr Garwood said.

"Anything purchased for council business belongs to council," he said.

Cr Garwood went on to say that "public money absolutely deserves scrutiny".

"Scrutinise me, absolutely. If I've stuffed something up, I'll own it," he said.

"But give people the whole picture and let them make up their own minds."

A City of Launceston spokesperson said in a statement to the ABC that the council’s credit card policy set out requirements for their use, acquittal and approval.

"Council has recently reviewed and strengthened its governance framework in this area [through] updates to both the credit card policy and the councillor expenses policy," the spokesperson said.

"Where questions about a transaction arise, further information is sought by the cardholder, and reimbursement may occur where appropriate. Following that process, a cardholder may elect to reimburse the council for an expense, in part or in full.

"Council is unable to comment on individual transactions. Council's focus is on ensuring all matters are assessed consistently against our policies and governance requirements."