Treasurer Kevin Foley should withdraw from his upcoming three week trip to the USA if he is going to be leaving the Ministry in the coming weeks or months, Shadow Finance Minister Rob Lucas said today.
“Given the increasing pressure on Mr Foley to resign and the likelihood he will do so it would be a gross waste of taxpayers’ money to embark on this trip,” Mr Lucas said.
“This trip has the appearance of a ‘farewell tour’ or another ‘excellent adventure’ for Mr Foley rather than a critical overseas trip.”
Mr Foley’s trip to the USA will be his 32nd overseas trip since 2002 and his 14th trip to the USA. It would also be his third trip to the USA in the last seven months.
The cost to taxpayers of these trips is estimated to be at least $1.5 million.
“If Mr Rann had SA’s best interests at heart, he’d force Mr Foley to cancel his overseas trip and address Labor’s serious factional issues and bitter infighting.
“Perhaps Mr Rann and Mr Foley could take more interest in the important issues, like massive increases in utility costs, and stop focussing on their own political interests.
“This is just another example of the wrong priorities of Mr Rann, Mr Foley and the Labor Party.”