Massive state government report dump: Here’s what we found

VICTORIA’S public service wages bill ballooned by $1.8 billion last year — a whopping $282 million over budget, figures detailed in almost 200 annual reports dumped in parliament reveal. But that’s not the only thing we found.

VICTORIA’S public service wages bill ballooned by $1.8 billion last year — that’s $282 million over budget.

The massive cost blowout came as key government ­departments hired dozens of extra executive bureaucrats on pay packets of at least $180,000.

The figures were detailed in nearly 200 annual reports dumped in the state ­parliament on Thursday, the last ­sitting day before November’s election.

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Premier Daniel Andrews now has 135 public servants in his department on executive-level wages, up from 104 the ­previous year.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet fat cats were paid a combined $26.5 million — an $8 million increase in one year — of the department’s total wages bill of $192 million.

Public servant executive ranks also swelled in other major departments, with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning paying 100 employees on executive wages, up from 72 the year before.

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The Department of Justice added 18 executives, reaching 87 overall, while the Department of Treasury and Finance hired another seven executives, costing an extra $2.7 million in wages.

Employee expenses across the whole state government hit a record $23.3 billion in the past financial year, an 8.3 per cent increase on 2016-2017, and the Department of Treasury and Finance said the total wages bill was $282 million “above the revised budget”.

Generous pay rises for police, teachers and public health workers were partly blamed for the increase.

Shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien said the $282 million “blowout” could have paid for 15 new schools.

“While most ­Victorian families haven’t seen a decent pay rise in years, Daniel Andrews’ chosen few are ­hitting pay dirt at taxpayers’ expense,” he said.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the documents also showed the government had delivered a $2.3 billion Budget surplus, $270 million above forecast, while the state’s unemployment rate had fallen to a seven-year low of 4.8 per cent.

“This result reflects the hard work of Victorians, and backs our record investments in infrastructure, housing, health and education,” he said

MARVELLOUS DEAL FOR AFL

DETAILS of the state government’s $225 million deal with the AFL to redevelop what is now Marvel (formerly Etihad) Stadium have been released.

The funding and commitment deed disclose that as well as that massive sum for the stadium redevelopment, the AFL was granted a $1 annual peppercorn rent for 40 years on a government parcel of land at New Quay.

The land would house the AFL’s headquarters — which would have to be vacated after the stadium redevelopment.

Details of the state government’s $225 million deal with the AFL to redevelop what is now Marvel Stadium have been released.

The code would have first right of refusal to buy the land from the government when the lease ends.

In exchange, a minimum of 43 games must be played at the MCG each year — including 10 of the likely 12 best-attended matches.

And the Grand Final is now nailed on at the MCG until 2055.

The AFL would be expected to push a healthy eating alternative to its food inside the stadium and explore opportunities to promote healthy food and beverage options in the community. It must also increase the total of water fountains inside the stadium.

The government has also stipulated that it expects the AFL to help it grow women’s team sports across Victoria, and support indigenous and multicultural sport participation.

The Legislative Council forced the government to produce the documents. But Attorney-General Martin Pakula claimed executive privilege and redacted the deal’s funding structure and details of the marketing and brand agreements.

— James Dowling

A THIRD of Victoria’s hospitals ran themselves broke last year, while patients at some major hospitals are suffering prolonged waits.

Of the 42 hospitals to table annual reports yesterday, 14 showed they were in the red at the end of 2017-18, including the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, which racked up a deficit of more than $1.45 million.

In regional Victoria, Northeast Health in Wangaratta and the Wimmera Healthcare Group had deficits beyond $2.3 million over the past year, following heavy debts a year earlier.

The dire financial situation confronting many of Victoria’s hospitals comes just two years after 21 of the state’s 87 health services reported deficits — and after Health Minister Jill Hennessy ordered an investigation into the performance of the Royal Melbourne and the Barwon hospitals.

— Grant McArthur

MELBOURNE’S trains and tram operators failed to meet key performance targets over the

last financial year as the city’s congestion crisis continues to plague commuters.

New figures released yesterday in Public Transport Victoria’s annual report show metropolitan bus, trains and trams fell just short of punctuality goals for 2017-18.

Operators also did not meet tough new standards for cancellations, with the train and tram networks delivering 98.8 per cent and 98.5 per cent of their scheduled services respectively.

Melbourne’s trains operators failed to meet key performance targets over the past financial year. Generic picture

Overall public transport patronage rose to 565 million trips, despite bus passenger numbers falling for a third consecutive year.

“We’re carrying more passengers and running more services than ever before, with an extra 8.4 million passengers using public transport during this 12-month period.”
a government spokeswoman said.

— Kieran Rooney

THE state’s traffic camera watchdog John Voyage has criticised those who dismiss speed and red-light cameras as “revenue raisers”.

He also used his annual report to blast a Facebook group whose members claim ­drivers have been wrongly booked for speeding on the Hume Freeway.

Mr Voyage said: “Some people to focus on the ­revenue generated, rather than the voluntary nature of infringing or the consequences of risky behaviour.

The state’s traffic camera watchdog has criticised those who dismiss speed and red-light cameras as “revenue raisers”.

“For example, no one would ever suggest that drink-driving infringements are ‘only about the revenue’.

“It would be absurd for anyone to say that a bit over .05 was acceptable. And yet speeders make this argument. It shows a failure to recognise the complex process of road safety.

“Indeed, extending the analogy, there would appropriately be outrage if someone was to suggest that a bit of shoplifting was acceptable. Of course it is not.”

Mr Voyage said the ­members of the “255 Hume” Facebook group claimed 255 people had been wrongly ­accused of driving at 108km in a 100kmh zone, and their claims had received widespread publicity.

“As it turns out … there was no evidence in support (of their claims) and strong evidence against,” he said. “I am of the view that the complaints are without basis.”

Mr Voyage said a probe by his office had found no technical issues with any speed or red-light cameras during 2017-18. “All of Victoria’s road safety cameras operated accurately, reliably and effectively throughout the year,” he said.

— Keith Moor

THE number of Victorian teachers reported for misconduct has tripled in a year.

A total 434 educators were reported to the Victorian Institute of Teaching in the last financial year, the Institute’s annual report reveals.

Of those, a total 17 teachers had their registration cancelled or suspended for a sexual offence — many cases involving children.

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The number of Victorian teachers reported for misconduct has tripled in a year.

And one in 20 teachers the VIT received complaints about were investigated or charged over a criminal offence that could see jail time.

The huge spike in complaints, from about 150 the year before, is believed to be in part due to new reporting obligations administered by Commission for Children and Young People following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which also has seen an increased community awareness.

The VIT now also has a stronger focus on fitness matters of teaching staff, including current and historical criminal offences and even dependence on drugs and alcohol.

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The Herald Sun understands more resources are being dedicated to the VIT investigations unit as further misconduct reports are anticipated.

— Ash Argoon

VICTORIA has tapped the brakes on Australian Grand Prix spending, but taxpayers still shelled out $56.5 million on the F1 race this year.

The state government has coughed up almost $300 million for the star-studded Albert Park event over the past five years.

Public funding for the event dropped marginally from $57.1 million in 2017 to $56.5 million this year — the lowest contribution since 2013. Victoria has long debated the benefits of subsidising the race, which this year cost $103 million but only managed to rev up $46.6 million in revenue.

Daniel Ricciardo during this year’s Australian GP. Picture: Alex Coppel

The government has repeatedly defended its hefty contribution, arguing it promotes the state and drives investment in the Victorian economy. In 2015, the government extended the F1 contract to 2023.

The Australian GP Corporation’s annual report also revealed taxpayers put in almost $11.4 million for the Motorcycle GP last October. The Phillip Island event drew over 85,000 fans.

GP Corporation chairman John Harnden said both race showcases promoted Victoria and Melbourne to millions around the world.