By Algernon Watts
A prolonged clash erupted in the Senate over what constitutes wastage of public resources after Opposition Senator Malaka Parker cited repeated roadworks and alleged defects in government-built houses as examples of money being unnecessarily spent.
The dispute arose during debate on the Airport Administration Charge Amendment Bill, when Parker questioned whether the government had properly accounted for revenue already being collected before seeking approval for higher charges.
She told the Senate that people could see “the wastage of government resources all over the place”, prompting government Senator Philip Shoul to challenge her to provide evidence.
Parker initially refused to withdraw the statement and pointed to the repeated resurfacing of the Sir Sydney Walling Highway.
“Here we are resurfacing and repaving Sir Sydney Walling Highway again for the fourth time,” she said.
“That is wastage. Whole ton of wastage.”
Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant ruled that repeated work did not automatically prove public money had been wasted.
“If you make a statement that there’s wastage all around, you have to back it up, and if you cannot back it up, then you have to withdraw it,” she said.
Parker then cited alleged defects in National Housing properties, including lifting tiles, leaking roofs and bathrooms that had to be remodelled.
Williams-Grant again directed her to provide statistical evidence, withdraw the allegation or conclude her presentation.
Parker asked whether court cases involving alleged poor work in National Housing projects would qualify as evidence.
“Poor work is not wastage,” the Senate President responded.
Parker then withdrew the broader statement and continued her contribution.
Despite withdrawing the allegation, Parker continued to argue that the government had not sufficiently accounted for money already collected under the airport charge.
She argued that Parliament should not approve higher charges without audited statements, transparent expenditure records and clear justification for the additional revenue.
