“Ask me something serious,” Treasurer Eric Roozendaal when asked about his responsibility for the NSW Government’s use of temporary employees (Estimates Hearings 15-9-09)
The NSW Treasurer is not aware how much his incompetent State Labor Government spends on employing temps, despite a Government document unveiled at Estimates Hearings yesterday showing $400 million is spent on a single temp contract, said Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird.
“Treasurer Eric Roozendaal revealed he has no idea the Rees Government spends more than $400 million on temps – that’s how arrogant and out of touch Labor has become,” said Mr Baird.
“The Rees Labor Government has concealed this cost from the public, failing to disclose it in its Budget papers.
“By hiring thousands of temps, the Rees Labor Government can conveniently get around its public sector staffing freeze."
A Government document provided to the NSW Liberal/Nationals shows one contract for hiring temps, termed the C100 contract, costs NSW taxpayers $400 million*.
“This contract alone sees 22,000 predominantly administrative temps employed across various NSW Government departments and agencies,” Mr Baird said.
“We’re talking about 22,000 temps at a cost of $400 million that the Rees Labor Government doesn’t consider is worth mentioning in its Budget.
“Not all temps are employed through this contract so the total cost to NSW taxpayers is likely to be far more than $400 million.
“This is at a time when the State’s infrastructure is crumbling and essential services are failing the people of NSW.
“The Auditor General has revealed some temps are hired by NSW Government departments through recruitment agencies continuously for up to 15 years**.
“It is an astonishing admission that the Treasurer of the State is blissfully ignorant of an expenditure of this magnitude,” Mr Baird said.
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880
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