Taxpayers fork out for Andrews’ dining bill
Daniel Andrews and his team are splashing cash – to the tune of more than $1 mil per year – on wining and dining, with taxpayers picking up the bill.
VIC News
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Premier Daniel Andrews and his team are racking up more than $1 million on food and drink each year, with taxpayers being left to foot the bill.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet has doubled its food and drink and entertainment spend since the Premier was elected, spending more than $4 million on meetings, parties and functions.
New figures show while the department spent about $500,000 in 2015 and 2016, that figure blew out to more than $1 million in 2017 and 2018.
Between January and June last year the department charged taxpayers more than $400,000 including almost $9,000 for a boozy internal staff party.
In just one month, June last year, catering for Cabinet meetings cost Victorians more than $50,000 while almost $30,0000 was spent on morning and afternoon teas.
The big spending was revealed in a Freedom of Information request from shadow assistant minister for Wastewatch and Freedom of Information James Newbury.
It also revealed the Premier and his team are spending almost $200,000 monthly on forums, membership fees, training and internal development.
A government spokesperson said a majority of spending related to events of significant community interest and not internal events.
They included events that marked Australia Day, hosting former US Vice President Joseph Biden, Anzac Day commemorations, significant anniversaries and engagement with communities.
Some expenditure also related to memorials or state funerals, or hosting guests of government.
“Many of these events are not annual in nature and the costs vary from year to year,” she said.
Some events also recouped costs through ticket sales or sponsorship.
Mr Newbury described the spending as “out of control”.
“Daniel Andrews and his Government are spending a million dollars a year on long boozy lunches – with taxpayers forced to pay the tab,” Mr Newbury said.
“Labor always waste your money. These long lunches prove Daniel Andrews is happy to spend on your credit card like a drunken sailor.
“Under Labor debt is unsustainable and the public service continues to balloon; it’s no wonder Victoria was recently warned by credit rating agency S & P.”
DEPARTMENT OF PREMIER AND CABINET CATERING AND HOSPITALITY SPEND
2015: $496,016.22
2016: $540,614.90
2017: $1,190,054.97
2018: $1,401,713.54
2019 (Jan to June): $416,784.63
TOTAL: $4,045,184.26
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