The Morrison government has come under fire for appointing former Liberal MPs and coalition staffers to high-paying roles on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, just days out from the election being called.
Radio presenter Ben Fordham slammed the ‘jobs for mates’ scandal calling it a ‘rort’ that government-linked appointees had been rewarded with ‘cushy jobs paid for by tax-payers.’
‘It’s hard not to be cynical… just as we are getting ready for an election campaign some friends of the government have landed big jobs with big salaries,’ the 2GB host said.
‘With the full-time siren about to sound on this term of government the jobs are handed out left, right and centre.’
Radio presenter Ben Fordham slammed the ‘jobs for mates’ scandal calling it a ‘rort’ that government-linked appointees had been rewarded with ‘cushy jobs paid for by tax-payers’
The Morrison government has come under fire for appointing former Liberal MPs and coalition staffers to high-paying roles on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, just days out from the election being called. Pictured: Peter Katsambanis (right) who is receiving about $200,000 a year
Former NSW family and community services minister Pru Goward and former WA state MP Michael Mischin were among two of the 19 appointments to the tribunal made by Attorney-General Michaelia Cash on Monday.
Mr Mischin has been appointed deputy president of the AAT, earning $496,500 per year, while Ms Goward will earn between $329,930 and almost $392,000 in her own new senior role.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s former chief of staff Ann Duffield has also been given a role, as has Cheryl Cartwright, who is a senior advisor to Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
Another former WA Liberal, Peter Katsambanis, was also among the appointees to the body, receiving about $200,000 a year.
Meanwhile, former NSW Liberal minister Don Harwin, who resigned from politics last year after breaching Covid restrictions by visiting his holiday home, was handed a three-year term on the Australia Council Board.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s favourite singer Tina Arena was also reappointed to another term on the arts and culture board.
The appointments have attracted criticism from the opposition for politicising the tribunal and giving high-paying roles to party faithful.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s favourite singer Tina Arena (pictured) was also reappointed to another term on the arts and culture board
Senator Cash (pictured with Scott Morrison) defended the controversial jobs handout by saying all of the appointments made to the tribunal were highly qualified
Shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said the appointments were all about political favouritism.
‘Rather than calling the election, the Morrison government is hanging on to power so they can hand out as many lucrative, taxpayer funded jobs to themselves and their mates,’ he said.
‘While Australian families struggle with the cost of living and stagnant pay packets, Scott Morrison is throwing around cushy $400,000 a year jobs to former Liberal MPs and staffers.’
Senator Cash defended the controversial jobs handout by saying all of the appointments made to the tribunal were highly qualified.
‘The government is committed to ensuring the tribunal is well-placed to deal with its increasing caseload,’ she said.
‘These appointments will provide the tribunal with more resources to conduct high quality merits review with minimum delay.’
Former NSW family and community services minister Pru Goward (pictured) was among two of the 19 appointments to the tribunal made by Attorney-General Michaelia Cash on Monday
The coalition has made a rush of appointments to government bodies, just days out from the federal election being called.
Monday also saw announcements of appointments to the Australian Competition Tribunal, and Australia Council board, as well as the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
It is estimated that since 2013 about 90 former Coalition politicians, candidates, staffers and associates have been appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, The Australian reported.
The prime minister is expected to call the federal election some time in the coming week. The election is slated to take place on either May 14 or May 21.
Mr Mischin (right) has been appointed deputy president of the AAT, earning $496,500 per year
‘The election will be called any day and the Coalition signs up some of their buddies on huge salaries,’ Fordham said.
‘Labor does it too. When there is a danger that you are about to lose, you lock your people into key positions. It reeks of elitism and makes people wonder if this was all part of a backroom deal.’
‘Jobs for mates. Are they so out of touch they can’t see how this looks.
‘I’m sorry but this is ridiculous. There is an obvious link. They all have strong ties to the government and the reward is a cushy job paid by the tax-payers. It is a rort and it’s not what you know it’s who you know.’
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