Tasmanian Liberals under Labor attack over ‘obscene’ pay packages

THE Liberals have defended the highly paid offices of Co-ordinator General and Infrastructure Tasmania as money well spent.

Tasmania’s Co-ordinator General has a salary package most workers could only ever dream about.

THE Liberals have defended the highly paid offices of Co-ordinator General and Infrastructure Tasmania as money well spent.

The Department of State Growth annual report has revealed Co-ordinator General John Perry is being paid more than Premier Will Hodgman.

The report disclosed for the first time Mr Perry’s salary package of $466,000.

It also showed Infrastructure Tasmania CEO Allan Garcia is earning $312,000.

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Both roles were created in line with election promises by the Liberals around attracting investment and creating jobs.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the Coordinator-General’s salary was “obscene”, and questioned what outcomes had been delivered by the office and by Infrastructure Tasmania.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green asks Matthew Groom about new Co-ordinator General position during question time in State Parliament. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

“Two jobs for the boys will cost taxpayer $3.2 million over the life of this government,” he said.

“They are failing to deliver.

“Infrastructure Tasmania has failed to deliver on critical issues such as water and sewerage.

“Can you explain what the unit actually does and what actual tangible results are Tasmanian taxpayers getting for the exorbitant use of taxpayers’ money?”

State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said Tasmania was in better shape when it came to attracting jobs and investment thanks to the Co-ordinator General.

State Growth Minister Matthew Groom in State Parliament today. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said Infrastructure Tasmania was pursuing projects including a new Bridgewater bridge, a project which had stalled under the former government.

“The office of the Infrastructure Tasmania senior officer is, as far as I’m concerned, the best money I’ve spent in my life,” Mr Hidding said.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein also defended the appointment of his chief of staff Ace Christian to the role of Superannuation Commission director.

Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said the appointment contradicted Mr Gutwein’s pledge not to hand-pick a favoured candidate.

Mr Gutwein said he had nothing to do with the appointment.

“The process followed the standard selection process for SES positions,” he said.

Originally published as Tasmanian Liberals under Labor attack over ‘obscene’ pay packages