A $140,000 TV!

The Herald reports:

A whopping $140,000 has been spent on a new display screen for the reception of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s central Wellington building.

The hefty price tag follows controversy over revelations this month that the ministry spent $70,000 of taxpayer money on a stone sign for the building entrance.

MBIE spent $140,747 on the display monitor – a cost Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was “slacked off” about, Radio New Zealand reported.

Taxpayers would not be happy about the spend, he told the broadcaster.

“No, I don’t think they’ll be happy about this one, in the same way they weren’t happy about the sign, and, frankly, I’m not happy either, but I would like to verify the information before I make any further comment on it.”

Staggering – $140,000 for a large monitor. How can anyone think that was a good idea?