Gnomes Lose $418K on Booze-Up

Date: 16 March 2000

The Royal Botanic Garden's management lost $418,000 on a New Years Eve fund-raising party for high rollers.

Who is paying for it? The staff of course.

Jobs are not being filled. Overtime is being restricted.

Maintenance is being cut - but there is no guarantee that the lawns will be.

Stores are being run down. Travel in NSW, interstate and internationally is being curtailed - except for directors Frank Howarth and Steve Forbes who are off to a conference in the United States.

Overall, the Gardens's revenue is $738,000 under budget. As well as the nosh-up disgrace, parking meter revenue is $130,000 under budget, rent from the Domain Car Park is down $76,000, rent from the hire of Sydney Wine Bunkers is $49,600 under budget, and interest earnings are $59,800 under budget.

The Domain Car Park dispute with South Sydney Council is about leasing arrangements and has been running for about seven years. South Sydney has just won, although the matter may be subject to further appeal. The loss will cost the Gardens half a million per year. Court costs and compensation are still unresolved.

The Wine Bunker lease will be a money spinner in future - it's lease just took a little longer than expected so there is a revenue shortfall this year.

The parking meter revenue shortfall is a consequence of continual vandalism of the meters in the Domain.

The cuts affect all three gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Annan near Campbelltown and Mt Tomah in the Blue Mountains.

"The Minister and Premier should demand an immediate explanation from the Gardens management and they should ask the Auditor General to do an urgent investigation of how the Millennium Party was initiated, planned and turned into disaster", says Maurie O'Sullivan, President of the Public Service Association.

"We see no reason why our members should bear the brunt of this financial disaster. Nor should the public pay for it through lowered standards in the gardens.

"Treasury and Premiers, core departments which encourage this sort of stupid entrepreneurial activity, should make good the losses so that the staff, the gardens and the public do not suffer.

"The future of the management? I offer two options. The Premier and Minister can take appropriate action, or the managers could fall on their pitchforks," says Mr O'Sullivan.

For further information

Contact:	Joe Carlin, PSA Industrial officer
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	9220 0929
Email:	jcarlin@psa.asn.au
WWW:	http://psa.labor.net.au/

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