Government Services Minister Bill Shorten has come under fire over his department’s use of taxpayer funds after it emerged it had awarded a $620,000 two-year contract to a professional speechwriter.
Mr Shorten said he wasn’t responsible for the size of the contract, which was negotiated by Services Australia, but defended the speechwriter – who had “done a very good job”.
“The person involved, who is a speechwriter, does a very good job. I’m not responsible for negotiating a contract,” Mr Shorten said.
“The hiring of a speechwriter was done by Services Australia. I have no idea what the payment was, so if you’re trying to link me to that, you know, good luck.”
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor called the expense an “extraordinary” waste of taxpayer money in a 2CC radio interview on Tuesday.
“Bill Shorten clearly doesn’t know who’s working in his office… $620,000 in two years… He’s done 28 speeches in that time,” Mr Taylor said.
“It gets worse because there were already two speechwriters within a team of 201 media and communication staff members, so this is just extraordinary.
“We’re seeing waste wherever we’re looking now. And this is a government that’s not (assuming) responsibility for it. We all pay for it and, worse than that, this is what causes inflation.”
During a senate estimates session on Monday, it was revealed Julianne Stewart had been brought on board under an AusTender contract.
Ms Stewart has previously been a speechwriter for several prime ministers including Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.
Deputy chief executive of Services Australia Susie Smith confirmed the details of Ms Stewart’s contract, revealing she was initially hired for a 12-month term at $268,000.
The contract was later extended for a second year, until September 30, for a total cost of $620,000.
Mr Shorten said the focus of the expense was a “cheap Liberal tactic”.