[Greens-Media] Put plans for replacement cocktail fridges for Senators on ice - Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Monday, 9 July 2007

Put plans for replacement cocktail fridges for Senators on ice - Brown

Plans to replace Senators' custom-made cocktail fridges should be
scrapped, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

The Department of the Senate today emailed all Senators' offices seeking
access to replace the custom-made cocktail fridges installed in 1988
with new, three star 55-litre fridges.

"Senators already have one bar fridge per office. Installing 76
replacement cocktail fridges is a complete waste of money and will get
an icy reception from voters. Senators don't need two fridges," Senator
Brown said.

"Parliament is only sitting for 76 days this year, yet these fridges
will run 365 days a year. Each fridge will emit approximately a quarter
of a tonne of CO2 per year," Senator Brown said.

"In the last 12 months we've seen politicians getting record pay rises,
massive increases in their printing entitlements and now, a brand new
second fridge. The Howard government is out of touch with the value of
taxpayers' dollars," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au