Release: NSW pollies make princely expenditures while taxpayers struggle

SYDNEY- The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today rebuked the NSW government for its flippant use of taxpayer dollars. 

• Clover Moore and the Sydney City Council signed a three-year contract agreement with Citywide, a Melbourne based company, for flowers. Many of the flowers won't last the year, but they will cost the taxpayer $15 million.

• The Department of Premier and Cabinet spent $162,000 to import just two rugs from WA for Government House.

“Amidst the COVID-19 crisis and the impending economic crisis, now is not the time to waste taxpayer dollars on pretty flowers or fancy rugs,” said ATA Policy Director, Emilie Dye. “This kind of lavish spending is a slap in the face to the thousands of Australia’s who are struggling to make rent after losing their jobs.”

“When individuals face hard economic times, they don’t line up outside designer shops; the government should take note and curb their spending addiction.”

“The deficit has reached unprecedented levels as a result of the pandemic, but emergency spending isn’t entirely to blame. Rather than diverting money from flamboyant floral arrangements and royal rugs, our leaders have chosen to borrow so they don’t have to give up their luxuries.

“While Clover Moore may have an affinity for plants, she shouldn’t use taxpayer money to pay for them. Right now, the NSW state government and city councils need to find all of these unnecessary random projects in their budget and hit ‘cancel’. They should then use that extra money to cut inefficient taxes and get people back to work.”