Politicians and public servants indulging in five star accommodation, first-class class flights and expensive restaurant meals on overseas business trips are making taxpayers ‘sick’, according to a new survey.
Almost four out of five people believe first-class taxpayer funded trips should be banned because they are blatant waste of taxpayer’s money.
It was revealed that Federal politicians splashed out on travel in the last six months of 2007 – with former Prime Minister John Howard spending $295,966 on travel, and current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spending $295,931.
The totaltravel.com survey asked the question ‘Do you think politicians and public servants should travel first class on taxpayer-funded overseas trips?’
An overwhelming 79 per cent (2399 people) voted in the negative, while 14 per cent (434 people) didn’t mind the way politicians or public servants travelled, as long as they were good at their job.
Only six per cent (188 people) believed first-class business trips were necessary to attract Australia’s best and brightest to public jobs.
Totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said it was clear that people expected public servants to travel at a more modest level.
“It is expected that politicians and public servants present themselves in a manner befitting a representative of Australia, but this should not extend to luxury suites with spa baths or eight-course meals at fancy Michelin star restaurants,†Mr Fisher said.
“Clearly, the public is sick of politicians indulging in this wasteful behaviour.”
“They would like public servants to lodge in more modest accommodation and ditch the business class flights.â€
The survey attracted 3021 respondents over a two month period.
A Report by The Mole
