Government spent more than $3.4 million on branded condoms, stress balls and lollies
Federal agencies spent more than $3.4 million on promotional items last financial year.
Departments and authorities bought stress balls, condoms, lollies, tote bags, pens and beanies with government logos. Defence spent more than $1.4 million.
Much of that went to gifts for foreign armies. Health spent $383,000, which included 40,000 condoms for STI prevention.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics spent $176,000 on census items. From July, the government banned agencies from buying promotional items.
They must get approval first. Items sold for profit or needed for policy do not need approval.
- $3.4 million
- Total merchandise spending
- $1.4 million
- Defence spending
- $383,000
- Health spending
- 40,000
- Condoms purchased by Health
Why it mattersTaxpayers now see how their money is spent on government items through new reporting rules.
AustraliaAustralian taxpayers can see how federal agencies are spending money on promotional items in annual reports.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
