Soapbox

Is the Governor-General a waste of money?

Oct 29 08:03am

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- Governor-General Quentin Bryce recently travelled to Africa, in a trip that reportedly cost taxpayers $700,000.

Mrs Bryce ran up a bill of more than half a million dollars visiting over nine nations.

So do we really need a G-G? What do you think? tell us below...

Professor George Williams is a Constitutional Law expert at UNSW while based in Canberra.

He says until the constitution is changed via referendum, we need to have a G-G.

The states' governors are also an expensive part of our democracy.

NSW moved the Governor out of Government House to save money.

The ACT has a parliament without a Governor.

12 Comments Report Abuse

1. mollylee61 - Oct 29 08:39am

As far as I am concerned we do not need another political nose in the the taxpayer trough.
Mollylee

2. jillianwarner1958 - Oct 29 08:42am

Surprise surprise! We finally get a woman into Government House as the G.G. & now that job should become superfluous. It just goes to show its still very much a mans world. That's all we need, a Government that's only answerable to itself, should be ok though cause surely theyr'e all honest folk.

3. johnwolski77 - Oct 29 08:49am

Yes! About 20 people have died on the Toowoomba Range over the last decade or so and this woman has the audacity to spend $700,000 on a trip to Africa?! How can she spend that much anyway? Shame! Even when a small mishap occurs on the Toowoomba Range, it shuts down South West Qld! John Wolski

4. johnwolski77 - Oct 29 09:00am

I, of course, meant No! No we dont need a GG. People die on roads all the time because the govt is more interested in their own pockets than the people they work for. US! Stop stuffing ya own wallets with our hard earned money galavanting around on world tours & partying & high-flying. On ya bike!

5. thelmarrs - Oct 29 05:11pm

I would love to have seen that $700,000 being put to better use I thought my taxes were to help the poor/needy/health system etc..not for going OVERSEAS.

6. kenningtonroberta - Oct 29 07:00pm

Sure is a lot of money, for a puppet figure, disgusting, how many people did she take, gee 1st class everywhere, terrible waste of tax payers money, then they get hand outs when they retire, also past PM's get money for jam.

7. combogolong - Oct 30 07:47am

As far as I'm concerned there are several Politicians who are superflous as well; perhaps we should get rid of them at the same time as half of them are not worth the money they receive per annum and the saved money could be put into Hospitals and the multitude of other things that need the money.

8. stoneshouses - Oct 30 12:00pm

is no need for either GG or pollies to spend that kind of money - is totally obscene

9. kj14u - Oct 30 05:14pm

She has the position because we are a state of Britain until we rid ourselves of the monarchy we will always have a GG. I thought she would make a good president but if the 700,000 is an indication on how rugal she is in our financial crisis she disappoints. Women usually make better leaders compass

10. annegriff - Nov 03 06:35pm

We need role models like our GG to carry out the jobs the govt require. Nothings cheap, if we saw her intinery the cost of the aircraft fuel, staff wages etc.for nine nations. TO be expected Illegal Refugees, Prisons, etc are more costly. She is a respectable woman with a respectable job.

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