QLD: Taxpayers foot bill for party ride

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2000
QLD: Taxpayers foot bill for party ride

Seven Queensland government ministers summoned the taxpayer funded government jet to
Hervey Bay to avoid being late for a Christmas party.

The seven ministers, including Treasurer DAVID HAMILL, had been booked on a commercial
flight from Hervey Bay to Brisbane at 4.05 pm (AEST) today.

But the flight was delayed because of mechanical problems and the airline advised passengers
the flight would be held up for 90 minutes.

The unhappy ministers called the government jet to their aid after it deposited Premier
PETER BEATTIE in Brisbane.

The government jet departed Hervey Bay, 300km north of Brisbane, just 15 minutes before
the delayed FlightWest flight.

The ministers were rushing to join about 700 other guests at the Premier's annual Christmas
party at Parliament House.

The stranded ministers feared their absence from the party would have been seen as
a sign they didn't support their leader.

Earlier in the day Mr BEATTIE had told a news conference the government was tightening
the purse strings in the wake of the teachers' pay rise granted by the Queensland Industrial
Relations Commission last Friday.

AAP RTV bja/nc/sc/jx

KEYWORD: PARTY (BRISBANE)

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