NSW Premier Morris Iemma has defended the almost $90,000 spent on a nine-day trade trip to China in May, saying new business opportunities mean it was money well spent.
Mr Iemma pointed to a new deal between Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and Optus, which created 150 new jobs in Sydney.
"Given the Huawei deal alone is a multi-million agreement for Sydney, the cost of the mission is relatively small," he said.
But the NSW opposition says the money should have been spent on a permanent trade envoy to China, using the examples of Queensland and Victoria, who have already done so.
"The premier spending a week or two there (in China) doesn't hide the fact NSW is unrepresented for the remaining 50 weeks of the year," he said.
The 15-strong trade delegation to China included Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the delegation visited 35 companies and nine universities.
Documents obtained by the opposition show the money was spent on everything from airfares and accommodation to small gifts such as ties cufflinks and watches.
