The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

 

[Bikkie mum]

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

View attachment 28565

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

 

[Bikkie mum]

I think it’s disgusting to spend that amount on meals n wine when so many are struggling
to pay every day things ,like rent ,electricity,petrol,food plus if you have children school clothing
excursions that some schools say are compulsory to attend

 

[ElizaKaye]

What about the politicians accepting their payrise. It was advertised approx 21 month ago that they were going to get 7.6%. Now it is down to something like 4.6%. They still get more in their payrise than somepeople get in a half yearly wage. They should be ashamed of themselves. They also accepted a payrise just after Covid started. We need to cut down on bureacrats. Qld only have one level of govewrnment why can't other states do the same. Just think of the waste the government could save. Fed up with policiticans wasting our money. EG. The water buy back scheme. We were never told who initiated the water allowances in the first place. When politcians do the wrong thing it is our money being wasted to try and correct it. We need to know which politcian intiatiated that wate rallowance - and they should not be in politcis any more. WHO DID IT PLEASE NAME

 

[Liz49]

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

View attachment 28565

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

Public institutions should be careful about how they spend THEIR money. No it's OUR money crap heaps. You are paid by the tax payer to do your job not sit around swilling French champagne and eating top end food. Just sit in the board room with a cup of coffee and a piece of cheesecake. You don't need a celebration dinner to let the plebs know how much you don't care about what happens. You are all fine. No money issues for you lot. Put the lot of you out in the street for 6 months with the lowest payments and see how you do

 

[Liz49]

What about the politicians accepting their payrise. It was advertised approx 21 month ago that they were going to get 7.6%. Now it is down to something like 4.6%. They still get more in their payrise than somepeople get in a half yearly wage. They should be ashamed of themselves. They also accepted a payrise just after Covid started. We need to cut down on bureacrats. Qld only have one level of govewrnment why can't other states do the same. Just think of the waste the government could save. Fed up with policiticans wasting our money. EG. The water buy back scheme. We were never told who initiated the water allowances in the first place. When politcians do the wrong thing it is our money being wasted to try and correct it. We need to know which politcian intiatiated that wate rallowance - and they should not be in politcis any more. WHO DID IT PLEASE NAME

The politicians aren't the biggest issue. The unelected bureaucrats are. They get paid by us the tax payer but do half a job then empire build to get more money and a higher level in the system. The big wigs at the top should be pushed out and the slug made to work for a living. Anything above middle management should go. For the most part there doesn't need to be heads and deputy heads of departments just a manager and his underlings and they should report to both parliament and the tax payer every 6 months to justify their wages

 

[Shane/#]

What about the politicians accepting their payrise. It was advertised approx 21 month ago that they were going to get 7.6%. Now it is down to something like 4.6%. They still get more in their payrise than somepeople get in a half yearly wage. They should be ashamed of themselves. They also accepted a payrise just after Covid started. We need to cut down on bureacrats. Qld only have one level of govewrnment why can't other states do the same. Just think of the waste the government could save. Fed up with policiticans wasting our money. EG. The water buy back scheme. We were never told who initiated the water allowances in the first place. When politcians do the wrong thing it is our money being wasted to try and correct it. We need to know which politcian intiatiated that wate rallowance - and they should not be in politcis any more. WHO DID IT PLEASE NAME

Liberal,/National Party Howard and Barnaby Joyce brought back80 million dollars look it up on Google

 

[Jest]

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

View attachment 28565

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

i have lamb chops quite regularly. love them.

 

[AlanQ]

Talk to anyone that works in a decent hospitality venue and hear the stories of the likes of the commercial TV groups that come in and spend on the company card upwards of $50k on food and excessively on alcohol, all of which is then claimed as a tax deduction. They always ask for the tax invoice and often will ask for certain items to be listed as xyz so as to avoid the FBT implication on alcohol. All heads of organisations spend ridiculous amounts on 'entertainment' at the cost to the tax system eventually. Unlike the Joe Blows of the world, they don't pickup the tab.

 

[AlanQ]

The politicians aren't the biggest issue. The unelected bureaucrats are. They get paid by us the tax payer but do half a job then empire build to get more money and a higher level in the system. The big wigs at the top should be pushed out and the slug made to work for a living. Anything above middle management should go. For the most part there doesn't need to be heads and deputy heads of departments just a manager and his underlings and they should report to both parliament and the tax payer every 6 months to justify their wages

a fair amount of what you have suggested does happen, but generally only when there's a political purpose to the meeting. Nothing ever results from these Senate 'grillings' (much the same as a mediocre morning TV show 'grilling' [not something I'd associate with this show] a bureaucrat. Then they throw to some trivial issue or win money by being an idiot etc,

 

[Dalgie]

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

View attachment 28565

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

All of these “perks” need to be removed in today’s climate ... it’s amazing how tone deaf these departments are when people are struggling to afford paying power bills & escalating food prices while paying unrealistic taxes. The government needs to stop wasting people’s money! If they want to go out for dinner or extravagant parties let them divide the bill between themselves. Over the waste & mismanagement of our funds.

 

[ElizaKaye]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. BUT - what can we do about it. It is no different to the Politicians accepting their pay rise after Covid started and now another one at their rate of pay accepting another payrise twice as mudh as anyone else. I have over time not been able to trust doctors, politcians nor a lot of Government backed organisations. What are the Auditors doing?

 

[donandviv77]

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) recently faced criticism for spending taxpayer funds on food and alcohol while the nation grapples with a growing cost-of-living problem.

According to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the central bank allocated $13,700 for food and nearly $4,000 for alcohol at a board dinner in Hobart—an event that took place just before the RBA's seventh cash rate increase.

During the dinner, attendees enjoyed glasses of Freycinet Louis chardonnay and pinot noir, each priced at $68 per bottle, according to reports.

The RBA also spent $11,400 on a governors' meeting, which was held at the Lagoon Suite in the beachfront Ramada resort in Vanuatu, with the meeting's theme being 'Rebuilding Our Economies Post Covid'.

Shortly after announcing a 3.10% interest rate hike in December, the RBA hosted its annual Christmas party, which featured lavish dishes like kingfish ceviche, lamb cutlets, and potato gnocchi.

View attachment 28565

Natalie Barr slammed an RBA staffer for claiming it was 'not attractive' to shop at Kmart and BIG W. Credit: Twitter/sunriseon7.

Internal emails also revealed discussions among executives about incorporating a photo booth with 'funny hats' to add variety to the party, but this idea was eventually rejected.

'Seems like everyone is very much back into the swing of things like it is 2019!' wrote an RBA staff member in an email addressed to an organiser.

Recent revelations, however, unveil that this wasn't the only controversy in the leaked emails.

During a live TV segment, Sunrise host Nat Barr divulged the contents of a rather striking email, composed by an RBA staff member, targeting retail giants Kmart and BIG W.

Nat revealed that the staff member suggested purchasing Christmas decorations from Kmart and BIG W as a cost-saving measure.

Despite these two stores enjoying immense popularity among millions of shoppers for their festive offerings, observers have pointed out that the employee's note appears to hold a 'derogatory' undertone towards the retailers.

The email says: 'I know it sounds not attractive, but Kmart and BIG W do have some good Christmas decorations at a budget price.'

In an interview with Nat Barr on the morning show, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek addressed the situation and said that public institutions should be 'careful' about how they spend their money.

'One of the changes that Jim Chalmers has proposed regarding the Reserve Bank is that it should be more transparent and should give regular press conferences, for example, to explain the decisions it's making to Australians,' said Ms Plibersek.

During the same interview, former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he had 'no problems' with the bank spending money on lunches and dinners as long as they were transparent about these expenses.

'If you are spending $4,000 on a grog bill and $13,000 on a food bill, then make sure you put it out in the papers the next day,' he said.

'We are not that stupid. They are a professional organisation.'




This news comes in the wake of reports indicating that Australia's interest rate has reached 4.1 per cent, its highest level since 2012, even though the RBA paused its regular hikes in August.

With the cost of living on the rise, a record number of Australians are now juggling multiple jobs. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 947,300 Australians worked multiple jobs in March.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise host Nat Barr discussed a disparaging email from a Reserve Bank of Australia staff member about Kmart and BIG W on air.
• The RBA is being criticised for spending thousands of taxpayers' money on board dinners and soirees.
• An RBA staff member suggested shopping for Christmas decorations at Kmart and BIG W to save money but appeared to take a derogatory tone about the suggestion.
• Labor Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed that the RBA should be more transparent about its spending.

With more and more Aussies tightening their wallets and cutting back on expenses to save money, many say it's disheartening to hear about officials spending taxpayer money on extravagant expenses and even calling budget stores that many ordinary citizens depend on ‘not attractive’.

Members, we would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about spending of this magnitude by government officials while many Aussies struggle with high cost of living? Tell us in the comments section below.

I wonder how many of these 'wingers" have enjoyed a free lunch or dinner at their employers cost?

 

[donandviv77]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. BUT - what can we do about it. It is no different to the Politicians accepting their pay rise after Covid started and now another one at their rate of pay accepting another payrise twice as much as anyone else. I have over time not been able to trust doctors, politcians nor a lot of Government backed organisations. What are the Auditors doing?

And just why do you not trust Doctors?, so far as I am concerned 99 pc of Doctor's are the most under rated members of our community who make real sacrifices to service our nations health needs.
Just wondering whom you contact when you or members of your family/public go down or have illness conditions?