Tas Libs claim costs down since election

Spending on ministerial travel, transport and entertainment has been cut since Tasmania's Liberal government came to power, Premier Will Hodgman says.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman says his government has slashed parliamentary costs. (AAP)

Belt tightening by Tasmania's Liberal government has slashed more than half a million dollars from parliamentary transport and entertainment costs, Premier Will Hodgman says.

Changes including a reduction in the number of limousine drivers for ministerial cars have helped save money, he told a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday.

"These savings now amount to over half a million dollars per year for Tasmanian taxpayers."

Under the previous Labor government the 2013/14 transport and travel budget was blown out by $338,000, the premier said.

"Our election commitment was to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in operating costs," he added.

The use of taxis on government business has dropped more than 22 per cent since the Liberal party came to office in March 2014.

In the 12 months up to March 31, 2015 there was $289,000 spent on domestic, interstate and international travel, some $8,000 less than in the year preceding under Labor.

Other than the "very rare occasion" on which he's offered an upgrade, Mr Hodgman said he flies economy interstate, but couldn't say the same of his entire ministry.

Hosting a "once-in-a-generation" Cricket World Cup function contributed to a $36,000 entertainment budget for the government's first year in office.

Labor spent $65,000 on entertainment in the previous 12 months.

Labor leader Bryan Green said along with a decline in spending there had been a drop in the number of visiting dignitaries.


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Source: AAP


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