Page 1380 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 24 March 2010

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MS GALLAGHER: All staff are essential. I have to say that, at $69,000 per head, compared to what you guys over there get paid, they seem a little underpaid as well. As I said in answer to Mr Coe’s question, our staffing increases have been the result of conscious policy decisions by this government. In relation to the decision we have taken around a staffing freeze, I do not know if those opposite did not notice but we have lost $85 million from our bottom line that we were not losing at budget time last year, and we have taken further policy decisions since that loss of income.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary question?

MR HANSON: What were the average on-costs of employing these staff?

MS GALLAGHER: The traditional figure that we use for one staff person is about $100,000.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth?

MR SMYTH: Treasurer, how does this growth compare to previous years?

MS GALLAGHER: I do not have that document in front of me. Indeed, I think it comes under the Chief Minister’s portfolio and is really with the Commissioner for Public Administration. I do not have that figure in front of me, but we do watch the growth in staffing numbers very closely. I am sure I will be able to provide that—

Mr Stanhope: It’s in the annual reports. Read those.

MS GALLAGHER: Yes, actually, do some work—read the annual reports.

MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Mr Smyth?

MR SMYTH: Treasurer, how much of this staff growth was due to the Greens-ALP agreement?

MS GALLAGHER: I cannot answer that question without going through—

Opposition members interjecting—

MS GALLAGHER: There were additional staff under the Greens-Labor agreement. Indeed, there were additional staff for this place. I think there were additional staff for the committee office that I recall. There is additional staffing allowance. Wasn’t there some additional money for the Liberals as well under that?

Mr Stanhope: Yes, they picked up some money.

MS GALLAGHER: Yes, so there have definitely been some additional costs.

Mr Barr: That is clearly non-essential, isn’t it?


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