Newman: Costello worth $3300 per day

Former federal treasurer Peter Costello will be paid more than $3300 per day, or a minimum of $140,000, to head an audit into Queensland’s finances for the new government, according to Fairfax.

Queensland premier Campbell Newman says the former Liberal politician is worth every dollar, according to Business Spectator.

The three commissioners who will assist him will reportedly cost about $350,000.

Newman said the exercise would be worth the expense. “I’m sure for people across Queensland, for people doing it tough, it sounds like a lot of money,” Newman told reporters in Brisbane.

“I think they are going to earn every dollar,” he said. “We need that expertise.”

An interim report will be handed down by the commission by June 15, with a final report due next February.