Mike Baird | Member for Manly - Top Priced Spin You Are Paying For

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Top Priced Spin You Are Paying For

Saturday, 13 June 2009

More than one million dollars is being spent by the State Labor Government on its two new key recruits as it tries to spin its way to the next election, said Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird.

�In response to a Question to the Premier, it has been confirmed that the Premier�s Chief of Staff, Graeme Wedderburn and Walt Secord who is managing Treasurer Roozendaal, are being paid the top level for Ministerial Staff at Grade 7."

6427 - PREMIER'S OFFICE STAFF

Mr Mike Baird to the Premier, and Minister for the Arts

Will the Premier provide the details of the cost of the appointment of Walt Secord, including his salary and terms of his contract?
Will the Premier provide the details of the cost of the appointment of Graeme Wedderburn, including his salary and terms of his contract?

Answer�

Mr Secord and Mr Wedderburn are employed as special temporary employees at Ministers' Staff Grade 7. Ministerial Grade 7 has a salary range up to $296,500.

�There is no doubt that these two spin masters will be on the top of the pay scale, which over the next two years in the lead up to the election, could cost NSW taxpayers $1.2 milion.

�But as we have seen, it doesn�t matter how much they try to spin their way out of an issue, the real figures show they have failed the people of NSW and led the state into recession.

�The NSW unemployment rate is now 6.4 percent, compared to the national figure of 5.7 percent.

�This Tuesday�s State Budget will be one of the most important in NSW�s history, but it appears the only plans Premier Rees and Treasurer Roozendaal have been working on are protecting the jobs of their spin doctors and the upper echelons of the public service with ever increasing pay packets and super-departments.

�57,900 people who have lost their jobs since Nathan Rees became Premier should be demanding answers as to why the Labor Government can spend this much money on two people, but has abandoned the workers of NSW,� said Mr Baird.

MEDIA: Wendy Black - 0418 532 534

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