The CEO of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet has confirmed that Budget cuts of $18.3 million over four years in the department were not detailed in the Budget documents. “Mr Chris Eccles also told the Budget and Finance Committee this week it was likely all other government departments would have similar Budget cuts…
DetailsEvidence given to a Parliamentary Committee has confirmed that a Spin Doctor in Premier Rann’s office was being paid about $80,000 per year more than previously revealed by Mr Rann. In evidence to the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee, Chris Eccles, CEO of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, confirmed that Mr Rann’s…
DetailsPremier Mike Rann’s defence to hidden payments of up to $80,000 to his Spin Doctors is simply laughable. “Mr Rann, through his Spin Doctor Jill Bottrall, today stated that ‘superannuation benefits were not considered a monetary benefit’,” Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas said today. “I am not sure what sort of parallel universe Mr…
DetailsDocuments released under Freedom of Information revealed the Rann Labor Government had a ‘secret army’ of 200 ‘Spin Doctors’ hidden in government departments helping the Government to spin its political messages. “These documents list all staff working in public relations, media and communications functions as at June 2010 and the total annual salary bill is…
DetailsEvidence given to a Parliamentary Committee confirmed that some Budget cuts had not been detailed by the Rann Government in its Budget documents. “Allan Holmes, CEO of the Department for Environment and Natural Resources, told the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee they couldn’t explain why Treasury had excluded come of their Budget cuts from…
DetailsTreasurer Kevin Foley’s personal mobile phone bill for 2009 cost South Australian taxpayers a massive $22,000. “Mr Foley must explain publicly why he is wasting up to $22,000 per annum when there are many local phone plans offering unlimited national calls, text messages and significant mobile internet browsing for $129 per month, or only $1,548…
DetailsTreasurer Kevin Foley’s personal mobile phone bill for 2009 cost South Australian taxpayers a massive $22,000. “Mr Foley must explain publicly why he is wasting up to $22,000 per annum when there are many local phone plans offering unlimited national calls, text messages and significant mobile internet browsing for $129 per month, or only $1,548…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:38): I want to speak about the Rann Government’s spin, deception, hypocrisy and broken promises, but I only have five minutes. After the election, the Premier indicated that he was going to reconnect with the electorate, and he directed his ministers and MPs to doorknock and listen to the electorate in…
DetailsEvidence given to the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee had revealed the supposed 15 per cent cut in Ministerial Office costs was a fraud. “Treasury officers confirmed this week that the 15 per cent cut will not be applied to the total actual cost of staff and resources in Ministers’ offices,” Shadow Minister for…
DetailsPremier Mike Rann’s promised 15 per cent cut in Ministerial Office budgets is an illusion and yet another example of “Rann Spin”. “In fact, the Budget documents show Ministerial Office budgets actually increase by $1.2 million this year compared to last year,” Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas said today. “The Budget papers claim that…
DetailsAfter a 30 month battle, Treasurer Kevin Foley had been forced to release details of payments made to consultant Bruce Carter and his company. “For 30 months, Mr Foley and Mr Rann have refused to answer questions on notice in Parliament about total payments made by the Government to Mr Carter and his company,” Shadow…
DetailsTreasurer Kevin Foley has today been accused of gross hypocrisy when it was revealed he had paid almost $50,000 to a company he had unfairly criticised as doing “shoddy work” for the Liberal Party before the election. “Under Treasurer Jim Wright has provided evidence to the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee that Mr Foley…
DetailsThe USB Budget leak earlier in the week has revealed confidential information the Budget Papers claimed should not and would not be revealed. “Budget Papers revealed the Rann Government was going to privatise or sell all metropolitan hospital car parks and Medvet laboratories,” Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas said today. “Budget Paper 6 (pp…
DetailsThe Hon. R.I. LUCAS (17:39): I rise to speak to the second reading of the Constitution (Government Advertising) Amendment Bill. On a previous occasion—I cannot recall exactly when—I, together with some other members of the upper house select committee on this issue, spoke about and addressed our various views on government advertising. I refer those…
DetailsEvidence to the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee had confirmed the total cost of the Adelaide Oval project had blown out to at least $655 million. Rod Hook, deputy CEO of the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, confirmed that the following four projects were all not included in the current $535 million estimate…
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