Press Release
31 August 1999

Thompson should be sacked from Lotteries Commission

Green Party MP Rod Donald says the Government should sack Lotteries Commission presiding member Geoff Thompson instead of wringing its hands over the salary payment to the Commission's chief executive.

Both the Prime Minister Jenny Shipley, and Acting State Services Ministers Maurice Williamson have criticised Lotteries Chief Executive David Bale's $410,000 salary as excessive but today Maurice Williamson says that there was nothing he could do about it.

"That's not good enough," said Green Party MP Rod Donald.

"The bottom line is that former National Party President Geoff Thompson was the Government's man on the Commission and he blew it.

"Thompson should have had enough political nous to know that Bale's salary would be unacceptable.

"He has failed to perform and therefore should either resign or be sacked.

"The public is sick and tired of excessive salaries being paid to high-flying chief executives when the Government refuses to list the minimum wage above $7 an hour. They want to see action instead of pathetic excuses.

"Instead of making an example of the Lotteries Commission, which not only went against the State Services Commissioner's advice this year that the salary was excessive but also refused to disclose the salary last year, the Government has decided to sit on its hands.

"This is yet another example of how weak and ineffective the Shipley administration has become," he said.

ENDS

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