TONY Abbott has spent more than $120,000 overhauling Kirribilli House since winning the election - including $13,000 on a family room rug. The makeover of the Prime Minister's official Sydney residence includes $64,988 of landscaping advice relating to dilapidated paths and how to prevent tree roots invading garden walls.
Another $24,343 was spent at Waterloo's Premier Carpets on floor coverings, while Sydney heritage roofing company Sovereign Slating Co won a $19,443 contract for repairs.
SHOULD THE MONEY HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS? TELL US BELOW
Kirribilli House, Sydney. Source: News Limited
Rushcutters Bay interior decorators Milgate provided a "family room carpet rug" for $12,915 on the taxpayer tab.
The firm describes itself as "importers and distributors of several luxury brands of interior products for architects, designers and other members of the interior design industry".
Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said the splurge was a case of wrong priorities given the government's rhetoric on saving money by cutting services amid a $47 billion deficit this year. "When you see something like this, it's pretty clear what the government's priorities are," he said.
Kirribilli House, Source: News Limited
Finance Department tender contracts show the landscaping advice is being done by Woollahra's Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects, which specialises in advice for heritage-listed properties.
"It was just a look at the general landscaping and paths in the context of it being a heritage property," the firm's owner Matthew Taylor said.
"We're looking at some details in relation to paths and making sure of accessibility around the house and making sure everything is done within the context of a heritage-listed property."
"The paths need to be upgraded because they need to have good access. They are just some general issues that happen in any garden but this is special being the Prime Minister's house in Sydney."
The PM's office declined to comment on questions including the type of rug purchased.
But a spokeswoman last night said Kirribilli contracts were managed by the Finance Department.
Mr Abbott has lived in a bedsit at a police college when in Canberra since the election after refusing to move into a $3000-a-week mansion because it was too expensive - only to now leave it empty.
http://www.news.com.au/national/lux...kirribilli-house/story-fncynjr2-1226796848301
Another $24,343 was spent at Waterloo's Premier Carpets on floor coverings, while Sydney heritage roofing company Sovereign Slating Co won a $19,443 contract for repairs.
SHOULD THE MONEY HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS? TELL US BELOW
Kirribilli House, Sydney. Source: News Limited
Rushcutters Bay interior decorators Milgate provided a "family room carpet rug" for $12,915 on the taxpayer tab.
The firm describes itself as "importers and distributors of several luxury brands of interior products for architects, designers and other members of the interior design industry".
Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said the splurge was a case of wrong priorities given the government's rhetoric on saving money by cutting services amid a $47 billion deficit this year. "When you see something like this, it's pretty clear what the government's priorities are," he said.
Kirribilli House, Source: News Limited
Finance Department tender contracts show the landscaping advice is being done by Woollahra's Taylor Brammer Landscape Architects, which specialises in advice for heritage-listed properties.
"It was just a look at the general landscaping and paths in the context of it being a heritage property," the firm's owner Matthew Taylor said.
"We're looking at some details in relation to paths and making sure of accessibility around the house and making sure everything is done within the context of a heritage-listed property."
"The paths need to be upgraded because they need to have good access. They are just some general issues that happen in any garden but this is special being the Prime Minister's house in Sydney."
The PM's office declined to comment on questions including the type of rug purchased.
But a spokeswoman last night said Kirribilli contracts were managed by the Finance Department.
Mr Abbott has lived in a bedsit at a police college when in Canberra since the election after refusing to move into a $3000-a-week mansion because it was too expensive - only to now leave it empty.
http://www.news.com.au/national/lux...kirribilli-house/story-fncynjr2-1226796848301
