Government's spend on media advisers jumps between 70 and 90 per cent in four years

The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s spending on media advisers has jumped in the past four years. But has it resulted in greater transparency? What readers say.

Tasmanian government spend on media advisers has surged in the last four years. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s spending on spin doctors has risen by between 70 and 90 per cent in the last four years.

A Mercury analysis of political staff numbers reveals the number of ministerial staffers officers — has grown from 95 to 112 in the last four years.

The analysis of figures released as a routine disclosure by the Department of Premier and Cabinet excludes drivers and electorate officers.

The salary bill for political appointments such as chiefs of staff, advisers and executive officers has grown from between $11.8m and $13.7m in 2020 to between $14.5m and $18.9m in 2024.

The government’s routine disclosures provide only salary ranges for staff, a tactic that makes exact totals more difficult to determine.

The biggest growth in staff comes in the government’s media unit, where the number of staff has grown from 10 to 17 in just four years.

The unit’s salary bill had grown from between $1m and $1.3m to between $1.8m and $2.4m.

It recently took delivery of a $4,000 drone, to better highlight the government's achievements from above.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has the highest number of advisers, more than his predecessor Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Elsewhere in ministerial offices, the biggest growth was in the ranks of the Senior Advisers, whose numbers increased from 26 to 44.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff leads the field with nine staff with the title of either Principal Adviser or Senior Adviser among his staff of 16.8 full time equivalents.

The highest paid is his chief of staff, with an annual salary of between $245,000 and $300,000.

Mr Rockliff’s predecessor Peter Gutwein had four Principal Advisers among his staff of 14.9.

The Mercury’s Big Summer Survey reveals that despite all the media advisers, the public isn’t getting the full story — 74 per cent said they did not believe the Rockliff government was open and transparent.

And it uncovered mixed feelings among Tasmanians about their political leaders.

Of the more than 3,000 respondents, just 30 per cent reported they believed the state government was managing the economy well.

The response in 2023 was more favourable, with 53 per saying the government was doing a good job.

But 63 per cent said they did not believe the opposition was a viable option to the current government.

Things are improving for the opposition though, last year’s figure was 74 per cent.

This year, 74 per cent of respondents said they did not have faith in state or federal political leaders. Last year, it was 60 per cent.

Originally published as Government's spend on media advisers jumps between 70 and 90 per cent in four years