Premier Will Hodgman was today accused of shocking double standards by appointing his personal staff on huge wages while cutting the pay of Tasmanian public servants.
“Mr Hodgman’s chief of staff and deputy chief of staff are both paid more than the equivalent positions in the office of the President of the United States,” Mr Green said.
“Mr Hodgman is paying much more for senior positions in his office than individuals were paid in the previous government.
“On top of that Mr Hodgman could not fully explain the employment arrangements for using high-priced fly-in, fly-out advisors.
“In one case a former advisor to Tasmanian Liberal Governments is being paid almost $50,000 a year for just one day’s work a week.
“At a time when the Liberal Government is forcing public servants to take a cut it’s paying over the top salaries to Mr Hodgman’s advisors.
“Mr Hodgman’s completely failed to justify the big salaries of high flying advisors during Estimates today and repeatedly dodged questions.
“For example he couldn’t answer why his deputy chief of staff is paid about $100,000 more than the person previously in the role.”
• And will Hodgman replies: In the 2013-14 financial year, the former Labor Green government spent $14.053 million on the following expenses …Under the Liberal Government this cost has been cut by $1.3 million, to $12.741 million.
