Libs pay $395 a pop for media savvy staff

THE public relations firm credited with helping the Tasmanian Liberals claim federal election victory in Bass and Braddon has received a contract to deliver media training to the state’s public servants.

Font PR will this week train bureaucrats on how to deal with the media, at $395 a head.

Two partners of the Hobart firm — Brad Nowland and Brad Stansfield — are former employees of the Tasmanian Government. Mr Nowland most recently worked for Treasurer Peter Gutwein and Mr Stansfield for Premier Will Hodgman, but both left the Liberals last year.

Neither the Government nor Font answered how many people would receive media training, or the total value of the contract.

“Media training is made available for nominated employees as part of their professional development,” a Government spokesman said.

“Font PR has been providing these services across the state service since 2013.”

Font PR managing director Becher Townshend will deliver the training.

A Font PR spokesman said: “Becher is one of Tasmania’s only media trainers to have worked as a senior A-graded journalist for print, television and radio, hence his services have been in strong demand since he started delivering media training in the 2000s.”

“During his time as a media trainer, Becher has worked with politicians of all political persuasions and is recognised across the private and public sector for his excellence in this field.”

The Font spokesman said the firm had not received any other government contracts since Mr Nowland and Mr Stansfield joined the firm in October last year.

The Legislative Council has heard Mr Nowland received a $52,429.38 payout on top of his leave entitlements after signalling he would not renew his contract as Mr Gutwein’s deputy chief of staff.

He had moved into the newly-created position after serving as the Premier’s chief media adviser until the March 2018 state election.

Montgomery Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt said Mr Nowland’s position was reviewed then abolished after he said he would not continue in the role — allowing him an early departure and leading to his payout, which was in line with his entitlements. Ms Hiscutt said the decision to abolish the position resulted in savings to the taxpayer of about $100,000.