Millions of taxpayer dollars spent to 'reward' electricity staff and clients

**SinBin** · 10-07-12, 14:49

Western Power was among the state-owned energy utilities which spent $1.5 million on entertainment during the last financial year. WA's state-owned energy utilities spent $1.5 million on entertainment during the last financial year, documents tabled in parliament show.

The largest of the four companies, Western Power, spent $660,500 wining and dining, as well as rewarding staff and providing recreational activities. That was at least $100,000 more than last year.

Electricity retailer Synergy dished out $17,000 worth of staff rewards and paid for $266,000-worth of meals and entertainment enjoyed by both staff and clients, while corporate boxes at AFL and Western Force games consumed $170,000 of the budget. The total was slightly more than last year.

....On top of the expensive hand outs, the companies are liable for Fringe Benefits Tax of almost the same value, effectively doubling the bill.

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/mi...#ixzz20CSuoacq

Full story here

**Burgs** · 10-07-12, 14:55

No doubt there is some elaborate reasoning, but it is beyond me why a state owned utility would be in a position of having to pay any type of tax?

**Happy** · 10-07-12, 14:57

i have no problem with this .. considering the storm damage they had to fix a few weeks ago in the time they did, I'm quite ok with them rewarding their staff!!!

**SinBin** · 10-07-12, 15:08

Originally Posted by Happy

i have no problem with this .. considering the storm damage they had to fix a few weeks ago in the time they did, I'm quite ok with them rewarding their staff!!!

Yep, absolutely.

What annoys me is why they need to schmooze clients when they've got no competition... The split of the verticle monopoly did nothing for consumers... but it's been great for con$ultants and still is..

**jono** · 10-07-12, 15:09

Originally Posted by SinBin

Yep, absolutely.

What annoys me is why they need to schmooze clients when they've got no competition... The split of the verticle monopoly did nothing for consumers... but it's been great for consultants and still is..

Justified price increases?
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**travelling_gerry** · 10-07-12, 17:20

Tip another half a mill into Force coffers and blame it on Carbon tax..that'll do me

**SinBin** · 10-07-12, 17:55

Ala Brumbies

**brokendown gunfighter** · 10-07-12, 21:13

Originally Posted by travelling_gerry

Tip another half a mill into Force coffers and blame it on Carbon tax..that'll do me

deadset

**.X.** · 11-07-12, 08:54

Originally Posted by Burgs

No doubt there is some elaborate reasoning, but it is beyond me why a state owned utility would be in a position of having to pay any type of tax?

Its True. Just like a Federal Government Department pays their own Power Bill.

A State Department will pay a Federal Tax. and a Federal Department will pay a state "duty"

but a Federal Department will never pay (in the old days Sales Tax or fuels excise) or GST these days.

**shasta** · 11-07-12, 10:37

Originally Posted by Exile

Its True. Just like a Federal Government Department pays their own Power Bill.

A State Department will pay a Federal Tax. and a Federal Department will pay a state "duty"

but a Federal Department will never pay (in the old days Sales Tax or fuels excise) or GST these days.

How would you know?

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