Australian taxpayers have forked out $35,000 (US$22,000) for just one desk, in a follow up hearing in February, which uncovered lavish spending on custom furniture for parliamentary offices.
Liberal Senator Jane Hume grilled officials during a hearing of the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee on March 27 about money spent on “sit-and-stand desks.”
“I just want to get this right. Over $35,000 of taxpayer money was paid for one desk?” she asked.
In response, Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services Jaala Hinchliffe confirmed, “Yes senator, that’s correct.
“It’s a prototype desk, and, as I understand it, this also relates to the fact that it’s replacing furniture that was specifically designed for members and senators when this building was designed. It’s gone through a design integrity process, working with the ’moral rights’ authority, in terms of the design and the build.”
Hume expressed shock that an even larger sum had been spent on a new desk.
“My head fell off, I have to admit, when I read that. After all, we'd been through with the very special desk for the former deputy secretary that cost $20,000, I had underestimated that the department could find a way to spend $35,000 on one other desk,” she said.
Hume continued, “Where is this masterpiece of a desk being stored at the moment?”
Hinchcliffe responded, “The current prototype desk is here in the onsite storage.”
The Australian Parliament consists of 227 members, including 151 MPs and 76 Senators. A desk for every politician would cost $7.9 million.
The Victorian Senator highlighted that even if only half of all parliamentarians received a $35,000 sit-stand desk, the cost would be close to $4 million.
In light of this, she asked officials, “Do you think that’s value for money?”
Hinchcliffe admitted it was a major cost and something that the parliamentary services would need to reflect on going forward.
“On something like this, where we are looking to build something for members and senators, I’m also conscious of how we engage with members and senators about what it is that they need and what it is that would assist you to do your job,” Hinchcliffe said.
‘Culture of Waste’: Hume
Hume expressed appreciation for the Parliament House not being filled with junk furniture but also expressed concern about extravagant spending.“My concern is that there is this pervasive culture of waste and now there is numerous evidence that this has been an ongoing problem,” she said.
Hume asked Hinchcliffe whether any current Australian politicians had requested such a desk.
Hinchcliffe responded, saying, “My understanding is that, yes, there have been requests in the past, but I can take that on notice for you.”
Hume then pressed the secretary on whether parliamentarians would be happy with a desk already in storage rather than requiring a new custom-made desk.
“Let’s face it, our staff already have sit-stand desks. They exist. If they say, ‘I want one of those,’ do you think that we need to be able to create something brand-new at a cost of $35,000 per desk in order to meet that basic request?” she said.
Hinchcliffe said the department was asking itself the same questions.
“As I indicated, part of the issue that, as I understand it, we’ve been thinking through with the seats and desks is that the furniture they are replacing is furniture that was specifically designed for senators and members to ensure the dignity of the House,” Hinchcliffe said.
Hinchcliffe indicated she would be willing to have further conversations with House of Representatives MPs and Senators about these desks in the future.
A federal election will be held on May 3.
