Wednesday 26 March 2014

Govt.Army of 1900 spin doctors costs taxpayers millions

Army of 1900 spin doctors costs taxpayers millions

Reporter for The Canberra Times


The federal government's ''army'' of spin doctors and communications staff has grown to more than 1900, based on data supplied by departments and agencies.

An analysis of answers to questions on notice supplied to a Senate committee shows staffers in government media, communications and marketing operations have increased by several hundred in two years and could be costing taxpayers as much as $190 million a year.

Public Service Minister Eric Abetz said the government was conscious of the growth of its spin machine and hinted action was being considered.

But he cautioned against relying too heavily on the answers his departments supplied, noting that many people in the latest tally might have been made redundant by now.

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Senator Abetz, in opposition in 2012, railed against the ''battalion'' of communications workers when numbers hovered around the 1600 mark, alleging the figures highlighted the Gillard government's ''concentration on spin''
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But the answers to the questions on notice, supplied to the office of Labor senator Joe Ludwig, show hundreds more spinners taken on board since 2012.

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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/army-of-1900-spin-doctors-costs-taxpayers-millions-20140325-35gqv.html#ixzz2x1NkVaUZ

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