Labor blows its own budget

 

Labor is on track for a record budget blowout in its own office, its reckless spending set to force a taxpayer funded bailout.

Liberal Member for Clark, Simon Behrakis, said salaries alone in the leader's office and Labor’s eight MP electorate offices are set to hit $1.9 million this financial year alone, and by July were already over budget by 79 percent.

"Seven months into the financial year, 88 percent of the entire year’s operational budget had already been spent," Mr Behrakis said.

"That included an eye watering $94,000 on consultants.

"During this period Ms White's office hired failed former Treasurer Michael Aird as an economic adviser.

"In the previous financial year, Ms White overspent her taxpayer funded office budget by a whopping $148,120.

"The shortfall had to be made by a special allocation of taxpayer funds.

"It beggars belief that the Opposition couldn’t live within its means even after its budget remained the same despite the reduction of its number of MPs in the last election.

"The budget also remained the same after Labor’s numbers were further reduced to eight after David O’Byrne was forced to the crossbench.

"Fewer MPs: but even bigger blowouts.

"The party effectively had a massive budget boost, but still couldn’t live within its means.

"Tasmanian taxpayers are right to ask: how could Labor possibly manage the state’s budget if they can’t manage their own?

"The answer is obvious: Labor knows only one way: forget budgets and spend taxpayers money like there’s no tomorrow."