Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Pissed off
A day after Clark tells me that she can't take less of the money I earn off me because it would constitute spending out of her personal pet project budget, comes this gem from Jim Anderton after being absolutely slammed by the auditor general:
Examples of how the money was spent included $2167 for two people to stay at the exclusive Tongariro Lodge, $260 for hiring golf clubs and a $350 dinner at the Kermadec Restaurant in Auckland.To be honest - I'm too pissed off to write anymore. Jim - if your junket department is responsible for reallocated beneficiaries and global economic conditions - then best you get started on eliminating global warming - because you might as well claim that as well.
ACT leader Rodney Hide said yesterday that Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton's so-called "jobs machine" was a disgrace. "Heads should roll for such an appalling administration of taxpayers' money."
But Mr Anderton said the state of the economy and low unemployment were proof his policies were working.
"This is not an evaluation of whether the grant fund has been successful or not."
The programmes had been set up with the intention of not letting them become too bogged down in bureaucracy and red tape.
"I'd be more concerned if people said this is a very bureaucratic system which is useless . . . I'd be more worried about that, to be honest."
Helen - tax cuts are not spending - this is spending.
