Posted on October 30, 2011
Former Aboriginal Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi has taken South Australian taxpayers for a ride, spending a staggering $19,000 on chartering a private plane to the APY Lands.
While under intense scrutiny for her mishandling of the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, the embattled Ms Portolesi chartered a private plane to the Lands in August costing a massive $18,690.
Ms Portolesi stayed in Marla, which is actually not on the Lands, and spent less than 24 hours in the region.
In a double blow to the South Australian indigenous community, the Auditor-General’s Report reveals that under Ms Portolesi’s watch Labor cut funding to five community grant programs.
|
Grant program
|
Funding 2010
($ ‘000)
|
Funding 2011
($ ‘000)
|
|
Aboriginal Community Assistance
|
1,873
|
1,689
|
|
Anangu Pitjantjatjata Operating Grant
|
1,326
|
465
|
|
Wiltanendi Project
|
1,215
|
-
|
|
SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy
|
769
|
-
|
|
Aboriginal Community Essential Services
|
344
|
274
|
Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond said Ms Portolesi’s actions were a slap in the face to those living on the Lands and a direct reflection on Premier Weatherill.
“Ms Portolesi’s arrogance and disrespect is gobsmacking,” Ms Redmond said.
“This is a blatant misuse of taxpayers’ money by an indulgent Minister who is out of touch.
“At a time when Labor will be charging South Australians 334 per cent more for water since 2002 and 80 per cent more for electricity, this kind of expenditure is extravagant and wasteful.
“Ms Portolesi has consistently shown disregard for the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio. In fact as Chair of the important Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Committee she only attended one out of 29 meetings since March last year.
“Mr Weatherill has promoted Ms Portolesi to a more senior portfolio to rescue her from her disastrous performance as Aboriginal Affairs Minister, rewarding factional loyalty over performance.
“Now Mr Weatherill knows that Ms Portolesi treats taxpayers’ money with such disdain, he may well be regretting his decision to promote her.”