NT Taxpayers Fund Government Extravaganza

The Leader of the Opposition says last night’s lavish black tie affair at the Convention Centre shows a Government living high on the hog at taxpayers’ expense.

“The most striking aspect of the 3 course, all you can drink, black tie affair was the high number of Labor staffers at the taxpayer funded affair,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition.

“These highly paid political operatives were thick on the ground at the taxpayer funded event.

“Those seats should have gone to ordinary mums and dads, struggling to make ends meet.

“I’ve been reliably informed last night’s event would have cost in the vicinity of $100,000.

“Despite this massive outlay of taxpayer’s money, I note the Chief Minister makes no mention of the lavish black tie dinner in any media releases about the opening of the Convention Centre.

“Rather he talks of a ‘community celebration’ pointing to public self-guided tours, tourism displays, Togart Awards, fireworks, laser lights and an extreme jet-ski (at $30 a pop) and watershow displays.

“I guess the Chief Minister is embarrassed about lifting another $100,000 from ordinary taxpayer’s for an event that had so many of his staff filling the tables.

“I want the Chief Minister to disclose how many Labor staffers, how many Labor Party members, how many Labor Party candidates and how many Labor Party donors dined at the expense of taxpayers last night?”

2008-06-24