Tourism spending slashed in South Australia but the perks continue.
In the wake of the announcement of the multi million slashing by the South Australia Government of the South Australia Tourism Commission budget, South Australia’s parliament travel figures were released yesterday, annual travel reports showing the state’s politicians spent more than $400,000 in the past financial year.
The report shows that Legislative Council MPs spent a total of $176,718 while their House of Assembly counterparts spent $240,612, a total of $417,330.
The list of gifts received by SA politicians also made interesting reading with Premier Mike Rann listing gifts received at his July wedding, including Persian rugs from bride Sasha Carruozzo’s family and ceramic artwork from interstate politicians Steve Bracks, Peter Beattie and Maurice Iemma.
Free trips and flight upgrades also had to be declared with Premier Rann listing a Malaysian Airlines upgrade, Liberal leader Iain Evans listing upgrades and Chairman’s Lounge Membership from Qantas Airlines, a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association return trip to Fiji including accommodation as well as honorary membership to the Blackwood Golf Club.
Health Minister John Hill and backbenchers Stephanie Key and Trish White also listed “occasional” flight upgrades and MP Lea Stevens and Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill are Qantas Chairman’s Lounge members.
Many MPs listed a range of associations, with Premier Rann’s among the most extensive, including the No. 1 ticket holder for Adelaide United Soccer Club, Brahma Lodge Football and Sports Club, and Salisbury Football Club, a Port Power Ambassador and World Vision Australia 40-Hour Famine patron.
Treasurer Kevin Foley did not list any gifts in 2005/06 but he is patron or vice-patron of several clubs and associations in his Port Adelaide electorate, including the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Parliamentary annual travel reports for 2005-06 show three MPs spent more than $23,000 in travel allowances, with Liberal Graham Gunn topping the list, spending $23,796 on a U.S. trip with his spouse last September, his travel report saying that he visited Kansas and Nebraska to discuss genetically modified crops and the tattooing and body piercing industries.
Interesting indeed and all at a time when the SA Government makes noises about supporting the tourism industry, hosts an amazing ATE 2006 and then slashes the SATC’s budget!
Do you have the same difficult the Mole has in understanding the South Australian Government’s logic?
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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