A MOTORING MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 116, 2 February 1918, Page 7

A MOTORING MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

« EXPENDITURE CHALLENGED BY AUDITOR-GENERAL. The varioly of uses to which Commonwealth Government motor-cars are put lias frequently occasioned public comment (says a Melbourne contemporary). Despite the protestations of Ministers that they are endeavouring to curtail expenditure wherever possible, the motor-car bill, which the taxpayers have to foot, is increasing to an alarming extent. 1 Until a few months ago the succeeding Ministers of Customs have been able to perform their public duties without the aid of a Ministerial motor-car. When Mr. Jensen assumed the Customs portfolio, however, he found it necessary to purchase an automobile, the cost of which has been debited to Commonwealth funds. Pointed reference to the use of motor-ears is made' by the AuditorGeneral in his annual report. It has been necessary, Mr. Israel states, to question several amounts covering payments >for motor-cars used by the Minister of Customs. He refers to an account embracing the period March 3 to May 22, 1917. The account shows that a motor-car had heen used on 25 occasions during that period, the expense having been £71 17s. 6d. On December 10 last Mr. Israel wrote to the Treasury officially bringing the matter under notice, and pointing out that the account represented claims made by and payments made to A. J. Batten, Launceston. The Auditor-General expressed the view that the purposes for which the car or cars were hired should be stated on tho vouchers covering the expenditure. This has not been shown. There was nothing on the vouchers, Mr. Israel added, to show that tho amount should be charged to the public account at all. Correspondence passed between the Treasury and the Customs Department, and on January 5 the Acting-Secretary of the Treasury informed the Auditor-General that the Acting-Controller of Customs hud stated that he would bring.the matter under the notice of the Minister at the earliest opportunity.