Both ACT Treasury and the ACT Libs fail the due diligence test (and perhaps high school arithmetic)

This comment from the canberra times comments:
“Is this the same ACT Treasury that spent the caretaker period during the 2008 election checking Labor Party press releases? See here: http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/open_government/foi/td/2008_caretaker
Unbelievably biased public service.”

Having seen other things released by Treasury, I’m not surprised that it contained errors, it’s fairly standard for them. I wouldn’t put much weight on the costings from them for any side of politics, it’s just going to be a guesstimate.

Grail said :

But johnboy, didn’t you know that the only function of opposition in the Westminster system is to say, “no” and dig up dirt about the Government members? It is not their job to scrutinize policy, double-check figures and keep the bastards honest.

Yes and no. But in this case we’re talking about pricing the cost of election promises so it’s more of a question of competence to sit on the Treasury benches. Although I always think it’s a little unfair as the Government of the day has access to a large team of experts so should always appear to far better at it.

Grail said :

And besides, they are Liberals, which means they need accountants to do something as simple as a single-source income tax return.

Given that about 80% of tax payers use an agent I wouldn’t be too surprised if they did.

The Liberals have been in touch to note they’re the ones who spotted the costings error and informed the Crimes.

There are rumours that Kate Jackson has been seen loitering around Treasury.Just saying!

But johnboy, didn’t you know that the only function of opposition in the Westminster system is to say, “no” and dig up dirt about the Government members? It is not their job to scrutinize policy, double-check figures and keep the bastards honest.

And besides, they are Liberals, which means they need accountants to do something as simple as a single-source income tax return.

On top of that, the current ACT Labour mob in power aren’t much better themselves as demonstrated by this and this and this

OK two of those were a result of the Commonwealth changing the rules and the other a result of booming property sales in 2008. Care to explain how any of them were a result of “can’t add up”?