FED: Howard defends new office furnishing

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-1999
FED: Howard defends new office furnishing

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has defended a decision to refurnish his office, saying new
Chesterfield-style chairs were cheaper than the alternative.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today that The Joint House Department spent $10,300 on a
five-piece leather lounge suite for the prime minister's office.

But Mr HOWARD says the old chairs had been there for 11 years and needed to be either
refurbished or replaced.

He says refurbishment would have cost nearly $25,000 plus $1,500 for consultancy.

Opposition Leader KIM BEAZLEY said earlier today the decision to unnecessarily refurnish
the office demonstrates where the government's priorities lie.

AAP RTV ear/mfh/rft/jn

KEYWORD: COUCH HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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