Two NSW government bureaucrats spend $33k on seven-day San Francisco trip
Taxpayers forked out more than $30,000 for two NSW bureaucrats to attend a seven-day trip to San Francisco so they could learn about the “internet of things”.
NSW
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Two finance bureaucrats on a week-long trip to San Francisco to learn about the “internet of things” spent more than $30,000 in taxpayer money.
The then-deputy secretary of the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation (DFSI) Jeannine Biviano and the department’s chief information officer Anthony Ritchie spent $33,828 — or $4832 a day — between them on the trip in October 2018.
The short trip accounted for 60 per cent of the total department’s $55,571 overseas travel spend last financial year, according to its annual report.
Ms Biviano billed taxpayers $16,827.25 for the trip while Mr Ritchie’s travel expenses came to $17,001.
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As a deputy secretary, Ms Biviano took home between $337,101 and $475,150 a year. According to her LinkedIn profile, her core competencies include “resilience and composure in ambiguous and high-pressure environments” and “commitment to achieve results even under challenging circumstances”.
She has since moved on from the role to become the deputy secretary for the Department of Customer Service.
Mr Ritchie’s LinkedIn profile says he has an “outstanding track record in successfully delivering innovation”.
The DFSI is responsible for taxation and revenue collection, managing finances, major public works, as well as information and communications technology for NSW.
A department spokesman did not explain the exorbitant travel bill but said the study tour was organised by accounting firm KPMG.
“The tour centred around key technology issues facing governments including artificial intelligence, cyber security, internet of things and 5G connectivity,” he said.
“The tour provided an opportunity for senior government officials to learn about new and emerging technology trends from global experts.”
Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance executive director Brian Marlow called the bill “crazy”.
“They have probably taken a business class flight each, which in and of itself is ridiculous because regular people don’t do that,” Mr Marlow said. “The rest of the money would be on accommodation and on food budgets and travel.
“There needs to be more transparency on this.”
Deputy NSW Labor leader Yasmin Catley said taxpayers would be shocked.
“Gladys Berejiklian should explain to taxpayers why she is sending her bureaucrats on glorified $5000-a-day business (trips) with their money,” she said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said it was critical taxpayers’ money was spent prudently.
“I have asked the Secretary of my Department to ensure our approach to international travel at all times exercises restraint and seeks to minimise the number of trips required,” he said.