Senior Victorian ministers continue to fly around the globe for no apparent return to taxpayers while basic services collapse, Shadow Minister responsible for Scrutiny of Government David Davis said today.
Details of the Brumby Government’s ministerial travel revealed today show that Acting Premier Rob Hulls spent $24,000 to go to the races in Hong Kong while Environment Minister Gavin Jennings took his third trip to the United States at taxpayer expense since the start of last year.“There is something wrong when John Brumby and his ministers spend up big on global travel at the expense of taxpayers but fail to generate jobs or improve the life of Victorian families as a result,” Mr Davis said.
“John Brumby has insulted Victorians this week and the family of Dean Hofstee by failing to raise the extradition of Puneet Puneet with Indian authorities.
“And John Brumby’s Ministers fly around the world while basic services such as transport, health, policing and child protection continue to decline alarmingly.
“For example, the Minister for the Environment has spent almost $120,000 on three trips to the US since the start of 2008 without apparent benefit for either Victorian taxpayers or the environment.
“Mr Jennings also stands to have accumulated a very handy 60,000 frequent flyer points at the expense of Victorians.
“Victorian families continue to suffer from Labor’s ten years of neglect and incompetence while John Brumby’s Ministers flit overseas at taxpayers’ expense,” Mr Davis said.
