In the latest round of 'Actual story about Tony Abbott's Government or Onion article?', it's been revealed that the Government's Commission of Audit went far over its budget.
In its mid-year Budget update, the coalition predicted that the audit — which dramatically emphasised the need for Australia to tighten its belt — would cost about $1 million to produce. The West Australian reports that publicly available figures show it ended up costing $2.5 million, more than double that amount.
Where did all the cash go? Well, naturally, it cost $1.9 million for expert staff from the departments of Finance, Treasury and the Prime Minister and Cabinet to work on the study. The head of the commission's secretariat, Peter Crone, was paid $157,000 to oversee the five-month probe. Chairman Tony Shepherd was paid $85,000. Commissioner — and former Howard government minister — Amanda Vanstone received $85,000. The Boston Consulting Group was paid $50,000.
Not even kidding, you guys.
