Taxpayers fork out $162,000 to replace just TWO rugs in NSW Government House - with Labor calling the spending 'extraordinary' during a pandemic
Taxpayers are set to pay $162,000 to replace two rugs in one of Australia's most famous historical residences - a figure described by Labor as 'extraordinary'.
Jenny Jones Rugs - run by internationally-awarded Perth designer Jenny Jones - has been contracted to provide the pair of hand-woven rugs to Sydney's Government House.
The 58 and 19 square-metre rugs billed to the NSW Government's Department of Premier and Cabinet are intended to replace ones which cost $150,000 13 years ago.
A heritage expert has defended the designer purchase given the high-profile and 'prestigious' diplomatic events held at the home.
But Labor Opposition spokeswoman Yasmin Catley said the price tag was out of touch given the economic struggles of regular Australians during the COVID-19 crisis.
The NSW Government has announced it is spending $162,000 in taxpayer's money to replace two rugs at Sydney's Government House
The 58 and 19 square-metre rugs are intended to replace ones which cost $150,000 13 years ago. Pictured are rugs listed on the designer's website. The exact ones chosen for the house remains unclear
The official residence of the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley - completed in 1845 - is closed to the public during the pandemic.
'These sorts of funds coming from the Department of Premier and Cabinet don't pass the pub test,' Ms Catley told ABC News.
'It seems like an extraordinary amount of money to spend to replace rugs that are only 13 years old.
'During a pandemic, people would expect expenditure like this to be curbed.'
A Government House spokesman said the purchase announced last week showed value for money as it complied with the NSW government's 'prevailing procurement policies'.
Pictured: NSW's Government House. The historic building was completed in 1845 and is the official residence of the NSW Governor Margaret Beazley
Labor Opposition spokeswoman Yasmin Catley said the refurbishment at the historic building was out of touch with the struggles of regular Australians during the COVID-19 crisis
The exact rugs chosen remain unclear but they are thought to have been selected from Jenny Jones Rugs' signature Wildflowers range.
Included in the collection are rugs featuring a waratah - the emblem flower of NSW -a bottlebrush, eucalyptus and banksia flowers.
'In a vice-regal property such as Government House, high-quality furnishings are important in public areas considering the prestigious occasions that occur there,' architecture and heritage design expert Matthew Devine said.