Group of top SA government heads took cuttlefish trip to Whyalla costing taxpayers thousands last year

A group of top SA government executives took an afternoon snorkelling adventure on a Whyalla visit costing taxpayers thousands last year.

Giant Australian Cuttlefish at Stony Point in Whyalla - Picture: Carl Charter

Top SA government executives took an afternoon cuttlefish boat ride on a Whyalla visit costing taxpayers thousands last year.

Freedom of Information documents from the SA Liberal Party reveal the one-day visit on July 8 for the state’s most senior chief executives and staff included the two-hour cuttle fish swim and boat trip.

Rick Persse, who was then Treasury and Finance under treasurer, spent $1237 on the trip but the overall cost for the snorkelling mission is unclear.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said taxpayers’ dollars should not be spent sending highly-paid executives “on a free snorkelling trip”.

Department of Premier and Cabinet chief executive Rick Persse is on $760,035. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Adam Reid, Chief Executive at Department of State Development is on $442,737. Picture: LinkedIn

Mr Persse’s itinerary showed that after a chief executive’s meeting and Whyalla City Council briefing, the group split for lunch events, where “everyone” covered their own lunch costs.

Government department heads and some of their staff then travelled to Port Bonython at 1.15pm to see the fish.

Former Energy and Mining chief executive Paul Heithersay, Infrastructure chief executive Jeremy Conway, State Development chief Adam Reid, along with hydrogen office staff members Maria Kosti and Mel Hortelano were on the tour.

The group members who snorkelled at the world-renowned cuttlefish breeding site, included

Mr Persse, Renewal SA chief executive Chris Menz - who paid for his own snorkelling trip, plus Environment Protection Authority chief executive Jon Gorvett.

Jon Gorvett EPA chief executive is on $449,174.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said taxpayers’ dollars should not be spent sending highly-paid executives “on a free snorkelling trip”. Picture: Supplied

Mr Persse is now the state’s top public servant taking over the top job at Premier and Cabinet on December 20 last year to be paid $760,035, according to an Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment remuneration documentation.

An SA government spokesman said the visit was facilitated by the Whyalla council to take officials to the cuttlefish site to examine a safety issue with the vessel launch.

“It’s their biggest tourist attraction and people had been injured getting into the boat launch to get on the glass bottom boats. At the request of council, the group toured the and visited cove.

This visit informed the recent announcement of $100,000 in funding for the Cuttlefish Cove Experience, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the region.”

The spokesman said the visit was significant to environmental issues.

Mr Tarzia said the documents showed 11 government executives, along with three senior staff members, were sent on the two-night trip.

“This is yet another glaring example of taxpayer dollars being squandered,” he said.

ON BOAT TRIP

Department of Premier and Cabinet chief executive Rick Persse: $760,035

Department of State Development chief executive Adam Reid: $442,737

Department of Environment Protection Authority chief executive Jon Gorvett: $449,174

COMPARISON SALARIES

Remuneration Tribunal figures showed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: $607,471

Governor of SA Frances Adamson: $521,720

Premier Peter Malinauskas: $436,286

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia: $381,750

*Editor’s note: This story originally reported Hydrogen SA boss Sam Crafter and SA Water chief executive David Ryan was also on the trip. However this is incorrect.

Originally published as Group of top SA government heads took cuttlefish trip to Whyalla costing taxpayers thousands last year