The Australian Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers, has revealed to Senate Estimates that the cost of Anthony Albanese’s failed Referendum is in the order of the $522 million spent on holding the 2022 Federal Election.
Commissioner Rogers specifically stated, “roughly it will be in the order of whatever the cost of the last election”.
AEC records show that the 2022 House of Representatives and half Senate elections cost $522,390,716.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Government Waste Reduction, James Stevens, said “despite the divisive nature of this public debate and the obvious indications that the referendum would fail, Anthony Albanese stubbornly refused to budge.
“The Prime Minister continued with the failed Referendum, dividing the nation, and torching more than $500 million dollars in the process.
“There are enormous challenges facing indigenous communities, and $500 million could have had a meaningful impact in areas like housing, health care and childhood development.”
During a cost-of-living crisis, the Labor Government chose to focus on the Prime Minister’s personal vanity project, instead of addressing the serious financial pressures facing families and businesses.
Australians deserve better than a federal government that is distracted from the real issues.
Despite people struggling with soaring mortgages, rents and power bills, Labor are wasting our money on the wrong priorities.
