Shadow Health Minister Rob Lucas today accused Premier Jay Weatherill of ‘gross hypocrisy’ in his claim of transparency and accountability in releasing details of all ministerial credit card expenses.
Last week, Mr Weatherill announced all spending by ministers and their staff would be exposed to public scrutiny by regularly publishing credit card statements on the internet. This new policy would only apply to new spending from 1 July this year.
“However, an FOI lodged by the Liberal Party on 23 December 2011 for Mr Weatherill’s credit card expenses in 2011 has still not been answered!” said Mr Lucas.
“Similarly, an FOI lodged on 27 December 2012 for all of Mr Weatherill’s 2012 entertainment, travel and meal expenses has still not been answered!
“Furthermore, an FOI lodged 27 December 2012 for 2011 and 2012 entertainment, travel and meal expenses for Mr Weatherill’s Chief of Staff and spin doctors has also not been answered.
“Mr Weatherill’s record in answering similar questions about his spending in previous years also shows long delays in providing answers.
“It is quite clear Mr Weatherill has been a ‘serial offender’ in refusing to provide detail about his credit card spending.
“Mr Weatherill knows the FOI legislation requires responses within 30 days, yet he has refused to release information on his credit card spending for over 600 days.
“Given this sorry record, Mr Weatherill’s hypocrisy is absolutely stunning and taxpayers will be appalled when they see him patting himself on the back.”
Last week Mr Weatherill boasted:
“People have to be accountable for what they spend on public money.”
(The Advertiser, 04/09/13)
“I challenge Mr Weatherill to now ensure all outstanding FOIs on his and his staff’s spending prior to July this year are processed and answered,” said Mr Lucas.