Media Release – Estimates: By-Election Savings a Labor Fantasy

BY-ELECTION SAVINGS A LABOR FANTASY

The Treasurer Wayne Swan and Senator Mark Arbib have been embarrassed today by evidence at Senate Estimates which confirmed that there are no significant savings to the taxpayer from the holding of simultaneous rather than separate by-elections.

Earlier this year, The Treasurer and Senator Arbib urged certain Coalition Members to leave Parliament so that by-elections could be held simultaneously to save money.

The Daily Telegraph on 21 July 2008 reported that:

“Mr Swan also said that having simultaneous by-elections would save taxpayer money…”

And the Sunday Age on 27 July 2008 reported Senator Arbib as saying:

“If the three Coalition MPs had resigned at the same time it would have saved voters up to $1 million .”

Australian Electoral Commission officials today confirmed to the Senate Finance & Public Administration Committee that no significant savings could be achieved from the holding of simultaneous by-elections.

Mr Paul Dacy, Acting Electoral Commissioner, told the Committee that:

“…there really isn’t the potential there to save a million dollars.”

Senator Mitch Fifield, Deputy Chair of the Senate Finance & Public Administration Committee, said that the Treasurer and Senator Arbib had got it wrong.

“You would have thought that the Treasurer and the NSW ALP’s chief numbers man would know how to count. Apparently not.

“Today their assertions have been shown to be completely false and nothing more than a baseless attempt to slur Coalition Members.

“I hope that in future both Mr Swan and Senator Arbib take the time to check their facts before they open their mouths.”