Tasmania’s Premier has admitted the cost of running the Government’s ministerial offices blew out by $1.6 million this financial year.
Lara Giddings could not put a price on how much three Cabinet reshuffles since December had cost taxpayers but said they had been used to trim spending to save more than $1.1 million in salaries over coming years.
Ms Giddings told a budget estimates hearing the budget blow out was due to the establishment of the new power-sharing government after last year’s election.
“I think a lot of those costs were incurred following the election,” she said.
“Establishment of ministerial offices with a new Greens party as part of it.
“In recent times we’ve been cutting and we’ve made in excess of $1.1 million of savings.”
The Premier has lashed out at the Opposition at this morning’s budget estimates hearing, accusing them of abusing the process.
