Labor mate Bob Ellis has been paid over $5,000 a month by Nathan Rees to put words in his mouth, Chair of the NSW Liberal/Nationals’ WasteWatch Committee Jonathan O’Dea revealed today.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed at least $48,730 has been paid to Boban Services Pty Ltd, for ‘general editorial work’ performed by Bob Ellis as a contractor.
“The level of public remuneration, paid to Bob Ellis’ company, increased substantially following Nathan Rees’ elevation from junior Minister to Premier last year, with invoices rising from $900 per fortnight to $2,420 a fortnight,” Mr O’Dea said.
“Together with the influence of Sussex Street and Joe Tripodi, the role of Bob Ellis prompts questions about who is really telling Nathan Rees what to say?
“Mr Ellis is a long-time Labor mate. It’s further evidence Labor are arrogant and out of touch.
“They are so drunk with power, Labor believes it can run NSW for the benefit of its friends and cronies and get away with it.
“And what does Mr Rees have to hide? The Department of Premier and Cabinet originally rejected my Freedom of Information request, but finally released copies of invoices after an appeal was lodged.
“It has put ‘paid’ to the saying that ‘words come cheap’,” Mr O’Dea said.
