Queensland taxpayers aren’t happy after it was revealed their government spent more than $80,000 from the public purse on accommodation at swanky hotels during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Documents obtained by the state opposition following a Right to Information request revealed that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Games Minister Kate Jones billed taxpayers for their fortnight-long stays in $718-a-night suites at the five-star Sheraton Grand Mirage in April.
The accommodation bill for the two politicians alone was more than $20,000.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured) and some of her ministers billed taxpayers more than $81,000 for their accommodation during the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast
Fifteen staffers also stayed at the $395-a-night rooms at SeaWorld, courtesy of taxpayers, who were also billed for the accommodation of Sports Minister Mick de Brenni and and Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliff.
Queensland treasurer Jackie Trad conceded she understood taxpayers’ views that the money could have been better spent.
She then defended the hefty accommodation bill, claiming security reasons were behind the decision.
‘It was very much the advice of the Queensland Police Service and the Queensland Police Commissioner that all senior public dignitaries like the premier and like the minister for the Commonwealth Games stay in the one location with the Commonwealth Games Federation,’ Ms Trad told reporters.
‘Just the same way the Prime Minister stayed there under security advice, the same way that the federal sports minister, LNP member Bridget McKenzie, stayed there under advice from Queensland security officials.’
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Games Minister Kate Jones stayed at the swanky five-star Sheraton Grand Mirage (pictured) during the Commonwealth Games
Documents (pictured) obtained by the state opposition following a Right to Information request revealed a hefty Commonwealth Games accommodation bill for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Games Minister Kate Jones
Ms Trad added that the economic benefit of the Gold Coast event to the sunshine state well exceeded the money spent on it.
For one of the nights taxpayers were billed for accommodation, Ms Palaszczuk was in Bundaberg with Prince Charles.
Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the Premier could have easily travelled home to Brisbane for many of the nights.
‘One of her other ministers spent a third of that money in accommodation (elsewhere), that would have been totally more appropriate,’ he said.
Instead of driving home to Brisbane during the Commonwealth Games (closing ceremony pictured), the Premier billed taxpayers for her five star accommodation
State opposition leader Deb Frecklington added: ‘The Premier’s priorities are all wrong. She is addicted to wasting taxpayers’ money. This excessive spending is a kick in the guts for hardworking Queenslanders who are struggling to pay their bills.’
Taxpayers agreed.
‘I think they spent too much,’ one man told 9 News.
Another woman added: ‘As a taxpayer, I don’t like it at all.’
Minister Jackie Trad said the economic benefit of hosting the Commonwealth Games (pictured) exceeded the money spent on it