Nike trainers, Oakley sunglasses and Lululemon activewear: Bureaucrats splurge $200,000 on clothes – and YOU have been paying for them
- Investigation discovers that taxpayer funds are being spent on big-brand items
- 33 government agencies currently offer a ‘healthy lifestyle reimbursement’
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission costing $200,000 yearly
- Funds have covered items from Nike, Adidas, Converse, Lululemon and Oakley
An investigation into the tax activity of a government agency has found that expensive clothes are being paid for by taxpayers.
The probe carried out by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald discovered that Australian Competition and Consumer Commission staff claimed $200,000 annually on active wear and accessories.
Nike, Lululemon, Converse, Adidas, and Kathmandu clothing were found in the recovery on 20 staff tax receipts between 2017 and 2018.
An investigation into the tax activity of a top government agency has found that expensive clothes are being funded by taxpayers (stock image)
One person had purchased two pairs of Converse Chuck Taylor (pictured) shoes in one store visit
One person had purchased two pairs of Converse Chuck Taylor shoes in one store visit.
The work benefit stems from a $300 ‘healthy lifestyle reimbursement implemented in 2011-2012.
The total cost to tax payers was $210,300 – an average of $251 for each of the 838 staff members that lodged a claim.
Another 32 other government agencies are currently offering similar wellness programs.
The receipts, retrieved under freedom of information laws, reveal questionable purchases.
Some of the high-cost sports attire included pairs of $119.00 Lululemon yoga pants, $239.96 hiking boots, $199.99 snow pants, a $170.96 snowboarding helmet, and a $195.96 pair of Oakley sunglasses.
Another person spent their benefit on cycling equipment, buying a $139.95 bag that attaches to a bike by velcro, $70 bike lights, $69.95 bike rack and a $10.15 cycling map of Melbourne.
One employee bought a $299 tennis racket, while another opted for a Puma branded ‘boyfriend tank’ purchased online at the Iconic.
Pictured: One employee bought a $299 tennis racket, while another opted for a Puma branded ‘boyfriend tank’ purchased online at the Iconic
Pictured: Some of the high-cost sports attire included pairs of $119.00 Lululemon yoga pants, $239.96 hiking boots, $199.99 snow pants, a $170.96 snowboarding helmet, and a $195.96 pair of Oakley sunglasses
Claims can be lodged once employees have worked at the agency for three months.
Australia’s competition regulator states on their website that ‘the ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in markets to benefit consumers, businesses, and the community’.
‘Our primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with Australian competition, fair trading, and consumer protection laws – in particular the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ACCC for comment.
Pictured: Claims can be lodged once employees have worked at the agency for three months