Sunday Telegraph wrote:Charles' tour to cost our tax payers $1m
By SHARON LABI
February 20, 2005
http://www.sundaytelegraph.news.com.au/ ... 78,00.html
AUSTRALIAN taxpayers will pay more than $1 million for Prince Charles' visit, despite his personal wealth exceeding $1 billion.
The prince invited himself to Australia but in line with protocol, the Federal Government will pay for his visit, as it has in the past, which will include first class airfares, security, accommodation and limousines.
First class airfares on Qantas for Prince Charles and his entourage from London to Perth are more than $230,000, based on the full published fare.
Frank Leverett, assistant secretary, ceremonial and hospitality in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, told a parliamentary hearing this week that no budget had been set.
"I can say that we have decided that we should proceed on the basis of what was done when the prince visited in 1994, and to as close as we possibly can, replicate those arrangements that were in place in 1994," he said.
"In 1994, the Australian Government paid for a first class cabin on a Qantas flight to bring the prince and his party to Australia and we paid most of the in-country costs."
Prince Charles arrives in Perth on February 28 and visits Alice Springs, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra before flying to New Zealand on March 5.
His entourage will number about 17.
Taxpayers will also pay for the impending visit of Crown Princess Mary and her husband, Prince Frederik, but she was invited as a guest for several fundraisers.
Their visit is also expected to cost in excess of $1 million.
The Red Cross, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, and the Australian Cancer Foundation will be the main charities beneficiaries.
Labor Senator John Faulkner said it was a bit rich that Prince Charles expected Australia to foot the bill.
"Most people wouldn't invite themselves over for dinner and then expect their host to pay for the cab fare," Senator Faulkner said.
"Prince Charles has invited himself to Australia for a week and Australian taxpayers will pick up the bill."
Security is expected to be the biggest expense. Taxpayers spent $600,000 protecting his son, Prince Harry, in September 2003.
Prince Charles' security detail will no doubt be enhanced. During his last visit in 1994, a student fired two shots from a starter gun as the Prince took the stage at an event.
It is not clear where Prince Charles will stay, but the presidential suite at the Stamford Plaza in Double Bay – formerly the Ritz Carlton and once occupied by former US president Bill Clinton – is $3500 a night.
Prince Charles is expected to stay at official residences in Canberra and Sydney.
When his mother, Queen Elizabeth, visited Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2002, it cost taxpayers around $1 million.
Prince Charles, who will marry his long-time lover, Camilla Parker Bowles, in April, is estimated to be worth about $1.2 billion.
His last visit in 1994 cost taxpayers around $470,000.
Why the fuck are we taxpayers funding this billionaires self-invited trip down under? Fuck these royals merkins. Bring on the republic.