July 17, 2006

Carpe per diem

I don't think it will come as a shock to anyone that our Government Ministers are globetrotting on the taxpayers dime, but the real kicker in the article is the opening concern raised by Ms. Gordon-Pamplin:

What stands out is the apparent misuse of per diems, which total $73,355, which one would expect would be used for incidentals – but food, transport and miscellaneous costs of $36,000 have been charged to the travel account in addition to per diems.

Just in case you didn't get that, Ministers get a set allowance for extras that is supposed to include transport, food etc., but it would appear that a substantial amount if not all of that goes straight into their pockets...pocket money.

Because, if I can amend a line from Dionne Warwick: "that's what credit cards are for...."

Posted by Christian S. Dunleavy