ABC grilled over $34,000 table and chairs

ABC executives have been grilled by an inquiry over the cost of a 20-person table and chairs.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation offices at Ultimo in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

ABC executives have been grilled by a parliamentary inquiry after it was estimated a 20-person table and chairs would cost taxpayers $34,000 as part of its $50m relocation to Sydney’s west.

The ABC tried to justify the expense, after earlier saying it would “do a lot better” with taxpayer funds, as it faces increased scrutiny over its move from inner-city Ultimo to Parramatta.

ABC executives faced a parliamentary standing committee on public works in November, where it was revealed an external consultant, WT Partnership, had estimated a 20-person table would cost $20,000 and 20 chairs would costing a further $14,000.

Queensland Nationals MP Keith Pitt told the committee an eight-person table was estimated at $1000, a 10-person table at $5000 and chairs at $700 each.

“To give you a comparison, the per capita income for the people I represent is around $34,000 a year, and the forecast here is that you’ll spend that on a 20-person table and 20 chairs,” Mr Pitt said.

“So I think you can understand why I’m raising the issue.”

When questioned whether the ABC could combine several eight person tables for the fraction of the price – $3000 – with an extra four seats, ABC managing director David Anderson took the question on notice.

ABC Managing Director David Anderson attends a separate Senate Committee Estimates Hearing at Parliament House in Canberra one week later. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He also referred to head of property Neil Skill, who said they would attempt to “do a lot better than the estimate”, considering the tables were being paid for by public funds.

In a response to the question taken on notice, the ABC said the estimates were prepared on “current market conditions and tender pricing on other projects of a similar nature in NSW”.

“Due to the heavy use of furniture in a commercial setting, products of this nature will typically require a more robust design and higher quality materials than typical consumer grade products to ensure their longevity,” the submission said.

The ABC said increased pricing for freight, hauling and placement were included in the cost estimate.

“A 20-person table has additional expense as a piece of furniture of that size typically is more complex to build and has additional freight and installation costs,” the ABC wrote.

“There will also be opportunity to make savings once the project moves into procurement phase. The ABC will make cost-effective choices through both those project phases.”

On Thursday, Mr Pitt told The Australian the ABC was “once again sitting in a lap of luxury” and not concerned about the fit-out costs, considering the cost-of-living pressures.

“Not only are the ABC over the top on their tables and chairs, but there were planter boxes to the value of $10,000 apiece, which I had concerns about as well,” Mr Pitt said.

“Now unless these things are the size of a Sherman tank and made out of stainless steel, I’m not sure that they need $10,000 planter boxes.”