Cost of torch relay
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey has raised questions about the cost of the Olympic Torch relay in Canberra later this month.
“At a public hearing in November last year, the Chief Minister echoed the Public Accounts Committee’s surprise at the projected cost of the Torch relay, of almost one million dollars, and advised the Committee that he would seek a Commonwealth contribution to that cost.”
“Since then, with the international protest movement taking off, it has become very clear that the cost of the torch relay will skyrocket.”
“I would like to know, on behalf of the Canberra people, how much the Commonwealth will be contributing to the cost of the event, and if it will be providing extra finance to cover the substantially increased cost of policing which the expected protests will require.”
"I would be concerned if Canberrans were expected to pick up the salary and overtime Bill for AFP and Protective Services Officers to provide security for the torch relay" Dr Foskey said.
