Royal Hobart Hospital review taskforce members earning $2,800 a day
Some members of a committee reviewing the Royal Hobart Hospital project are being paid nearly $3,000 a day each, according to newly revealed figures.
The figures, obtained by the Tasmanian Opposition through the Right to Information process, show the taskforce chairman earns $2,200 a day, while two other members receive $2,800 a day.
The revelation prompted Labor to accuse Health Minister Michael Ferguson of spending "like a drunken sailor" on the taskforce.
In Parliament, Opposition Leader Bryan Green queried whether the daily payments represented good value for money.
"The documents that I showed you before do contain the proof that you are prepared to spend like a drunken sailor," he said to Mr Ferguson.
"Other members of the taskforce are each receiving $2,800 day - each of them - $2,800 a day, for 25 days... a daily rate more than double the Tasmanian average weekly wage."
Mr Ferguson defended the amounts being paid, pointing out Labor spent $2,500 a day on consultants when it was in power.
"They're doing a sterling job, a great job," he said.
The $580 million hospital redevelopment, which is two years behind schedule, was halted by the Liberal Government.
It announced in May it would spend $1 million reassessing the budget blowouts and delays.
Mr Ferguson also told Parliament he had paid back a $712 luxury taxi fare racked up in April when he travelled to Launceston for a press conference.
Last week he denied his taxi bill was excessive.
When Labor raised the fare issue again, Mr Ferguson quickly countered.
"Because it is of such interest... I would like to advise that I have voluntarily paid back the fund," he told Parliament.
"I have insisted on paying the money back and that payment took place yesterday."
The Government released data showing cutting private drivers and occasionally relying on taxis was actually saving money.
