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  • Coalition queries "health" bonus

    24/02/11

    Senator Mitch Fifield has used Senate Estimates hearings today to query some of the entitlements of bureaucrats working in the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

    FaHCSIA pays a $300 “healthy lifestyle subsidy” to all its employees every April.

    FaHCSIA employs over 3,000 staff, meaning this bonus could cost the taxpayer almost $1 million each year.

    But as of January 2009, FaHCSIA staff have not been required to provide evidence that they are spending the subsidy appropriately in order to access the money.

    “There is no doubt that this payment can be easily rorted by bureaucrats,” Kevin Andrews said today.

    “Clearly there is no accountability when it comes to this bonus – it can be spent however FaHCSIA staff please.”

    Senator Fifield asked FaHCSIA officers during Estimates hearings whether there was any way to stop bureaucrats from spending the money on, say, deep fried Mars Bars.

    “Your guess is as good as mine as to whether it is being used for its intended purpose,” Senator Fifield told the FaHCSIA officers.

    “A payment to support good health is one thing, but there is no way to guarantee this money isn’t spent down at the pub,” Senator Fifield said today.
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