Pandemic fat cats dining out on the taxpayer dollar
New figures show taxpayers forked out millions in the Victorian Department of Cabinet during the pandemic on pot plants, food and overtime.
Millions of dollars were splurged on pot plants, morning and afternoon teas, psychologists, work-from-home allowances and overtime in the pandemic response across Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The government also provided some bureaucrats with “staff recognition” Visa cards, UberEats vouchers and gift cards as part of publicly funded incentive programs.
New figures show nearly $3.4m was pumped into the department for such expenses as a brass quartet and jazz trio and to hire pot plants and keep them alive during 2020.
The government spent nearly $1m on the work-from-home allowance over 10 months and $600,00 on overtime as it struggled to contain the killer coronavirus wave.
The figures highlight the extent to which professional development is emerging as a booming industry for consultants, with coaches and facilitators - some with psychology qualifications - netting more than $1.2m.
Entities under DPC’s umbrella or supported by it include the private office of the Premier, the Victorian Electoral Commission, the office of the Governor and the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner.
The DPC documents show nearly $160,000 was spent on lining the stomachs of bureaucrats and ministers.
The staff spending comes as thousands of businesses in Victoria are struggling to survive after five lockdowns forced by the pandemic.
On one occasion in January 2020, the office of the Premier spent $2811 for catering but the figures also include largesse by the Victorian opposition.
This included more than $1000 at the Tallangatta Football and Netball Club, in northeast Victoria, on March 20 last year for morning and afternoon tea.
There also was catering and zoom reimbursement for the Opposition of $750 on December 18 last year.
A government spokesman said spending on catering should be proportionate and in context with the circumstances. “Guests and stakeholders invited to events and meetings are occasionally provided the courtesy of food and drink,” he said.
On the cost of the working-from-home allowance and overtime, the government said the pandemic had thrown up unprecedented challenges. “Tackling the pandemic has understandably generated increased workloads in many areas across the public sector. Employees are entitled to overtime in line with their industrial agreements.
“The Remote Working Allowance was provided to Victorian Public Service employees to cover additional employee costs while they were being directed to work from home in compliance with Victorian chief health officer directions,” he said.
DPC staff are given special coaching lessons on managing parental leave and there is a reliance on qualified psychologists to help with corporate development.
Staff recognition accounted for a $12,779 and work meetings cost $38,109 in food and drink.
The work-from-home allowances spiked as Victoria tried to stave off the crushing impact of the coronavirus. In April last year, allowances totalling $195,900 were paid out and in August $122,836 was paid out.
The total from April to January this year was just under $1m, with more than $80,000 being paid out in nine of 10 months reported so far.
It comes as some of the worst-affected industries are still battling with the impact of ongoing restrictions.