The State Liberals are demanding that the South Australian Labor Party repay South Australian taxpayers the $757,500 gifted to One Community SA to run a blatant political campaign.
The Auditor-General’s Report tabled in Parliament yesterday said that the One Community SA grant;
“…included messages a reasonable person could interpret as being designed to influence support for a political party.”
Report of the Auditor-General: Grant to One Community SA
“The South Australian Labor Party must immediately pay back the $757,500 of South Australian taxpayer dollars that was used for a blatant political campaign,” said Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas.
“The Auditor-General’s report confirmed that the Weatherill Government handed over taxpayer dollars for a political campaign that would benefit the Labor Party.
“Many South Australians are outraged that their hard earned dollars are being spent to benefit this arrogant 16 year old Labor Government.
“This money would have been better spent on policies to create jobs, reduce taxes, ease the cost of living or improve frontline services.
“Premier Weatherill is fighting for his political life and continues to treat taxpayers’ money with contempt in his desperate bid for re-election.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate to use taxpayers’ money to influence support for a political party in this way which unfortunately for South Australians is becoming a hallmark of this Weatherill Government.
“This Weatherill Labor Government is robbing South Australians blind by wasting millions of dollars on blatant political advertising.”
The Weatherill Government has spent almost $10 million on a host of advertising campaigns which include;
– $840,000 for JobEx;
– $2.6 million spent on advertising the electricity plan;
– $1.8 million spent on advertising the education plan;
– $1.5 million plus spent on advertising the Job Accelerator Grant Scheme;
– $1.3 million on the Future Jobs Fund;
– $523,000 on advertising 16/17 State Budget; and
– $450,000 plus spent on advertising the New Royal Adelaide Hospital.
