WATER BILLS
REVEALED TASWATER’S $536,000 CREDIT CARD SPLURGE
TASWATER staff spent half a million dollars on credit card transactions during the 2016-17 financial year.
And in a revelation Treasurer Peter Gutwein says will concern Tasmanians, documents reveal 105 of TasWater’s 850 staff hold company credit cards — and the spend equates to an average $100 every week on every one of those cards.
Most of the cash, a total of $536,000, was spent on accommodation, education and training — and “miscel- laneous” expenses. A TasWater spokesman said the purchasing cards were used across the state for a wide range of business spending “in a costeffective and timely manner.”
But the Treasurer said that with water prices rising, the revelation would cause concern in the community.
He said his TasWater takeover plan would ensure the or- ganisation operated “efficiently and transparently.” Shadow treasurer Scott Bacon said 105 credit cards for the organisation appeared “far too many.”
“Credit cards should only be issued where they are absolutely necessary,” Mr Bacon said.
“A system of reimbursement for work-related expenses and purchases, approved by senior management, ensures transparency, accountability and, importantly, expenditure discipline. The scandals we’ve seen this year means there is more scrutiny than ever on government spending and that’s a good thing.”
Greens water spokeswoman Andrea Dawkins said the credit card use was not “inherently suspect,” but transparency on the use of public money was important.
The TasWater spokesman said some expenditure could only be settled on purchasing cards, and was supported with tax invoices and/or receipts.
“Reconciliations are reviewed and approved on a monthly basis and are audited by our independent internal auditor,” he said.
TasWater said cards were issued to employees in the 850-strong organisation on a needs basis, and the decentralised nature of the company, with three regional offices, required travel on occasion.
The documents reveal that in addition to the credit card expenses, TasWater employees also claimed $161,476 for expenditure that was later reimbursed.
A recent Auditor-General’s report into credit card use by local government recommended the Department of Premier and Cabinet develop a model credit card policy which would likely inform public entities on best practice.