Loading According to the former staff, a number of long-term employees had quit or gone on extended leave because of the stress of working in the house. The staff, who spoke to WAtoday on the condition of anonymity, said taxpayers would be appalled if they knew what went on in the house. "The amount of money is just ridiculous," one former staffer said. "They've completely redone the entire of the house, inside, gotten rid of all the furniture, all new furniture, new carpets, new flooring, painted everything, even though some of it was done less than two years ago, probably a bit longer than that.

"And when the decorations started coming in … they'd just leave all the price tags on the stuff they were putting out and there were things like $600 throw rugs and $200 cushions, but they were going into every single room and if there's five rooms, then that's a lot of money on pillows and blankets. The Victorian-era mansion that serves as WA's Government House can be glimpsed from St Georges Terrace. Credit:Nathan Hondros "For me, looking at the price tags on some of these things, I'm going this is ridiculous, that's what I earn in a week and you're spending that on one blanket." One former employee, who worked under Mr Beazley and former governors, said there was a "blatant waste of taxpayers funds" occurring. "They are on the staff's back about the staff meeting budget, but they're the ones who are spending all the money.

"They were forwarding money from every single bucket of money that they could find to do what they wanted to do. "They brought in a whole heap of new trees for the Christmas decorations and stuff for the front of the house, all fake from China, but under a consultancy, and I know that was about six to 10 grand." One former staffer said the Governor's Establishment had spent more than $30,000 on flower arrangements so far this financial year. In November last year, the Governor flew to Albany in the government's corporate jet to commemorate Remembrance Day, according to staff. But instead of using a local vehicle and driver for the visit, Mr Beazley had his chauffeur drive his official vehicle to Albany.

"[Mr Beazley] flew down with one staff member, had the driver drive down to Albany in the vice-regal vehicle and drive him around Albany, dropped him off at the airport and then drove back in one day," the former staffer said. "It was a three-day visit down there. "The driver had to go down to Albany and pick up the Governor and all that, but the day he came back he started at seven in the morning, dropped them off at the airport at three or four o'clock in the afternoon ... then he drove back that night. For me, looking at the price tags on some of these things, I'm going this is ridiculous, that's what I earn in a week and you're spending that on one blanket. Former Government House worker "So he's done about a 14 hour day all behind the wheel."

A spokeswoman for the Governor's Establishment said Mr Beazley's regional visits program was an important part of his role and "with each regional visit the associated costs, including the most efficient use of the Governor and the driver/government vehicle, are always considered". Staff also said there were social media posts from within the house showing contract cleaning staff pouring expensive bottles of wine down a sink. "If we opened wine for a dinner or something, and we always served a red and a white, and if everyone drank the white or if everyone drank the red and only one person had one glass of white wine, or one glass of red wine a night, it'd go down the drain, the rest of the bottle," one former staffer said. "There was some really nice stuff in there, like Tom Cullity, Diane Madeleines, some really nice vintages, they were all really nice bottles of wine. "A lot Leeuwin Estate Art Series, Pierro, insanely expensive wines."

At a staff function held shortly after Mr Beazley was appointed, he told staff Australia would soon be a republic. "He ... made a big speech about how Australia is going to become a republic, you're all going to lose your jobs, but in the meantime we're going to make this place as presentable as possible so it still stays relevant," a staffer said. Former Labor leader and one-time US ambassador Kim Beazley. His Washington embassy spent more than any other mission on entertaining. Credit:Trevor Collens "They were talking about how in Melbourne [Government House] it's like an art gallery or something where people can go and he kept saying, 'money isn't an issue'." The Governor's Establishment spokeswoman said Mr Beazley's comments to staff had always been positive and informative.

"The Governor has taken time to explain his strategic direction and vision and generally inspired staff support," she said. "It is beyond the control of this organisation if a staff member chooses to incorrectly interpret those clear messages." Loading The spokeswoman for the Governor's Establishment said the Governor and Ms Annus believe Government House must be used to the fullest extent to advance the interests of the state. She said there had been a substantial increase in hospitality at Government House through formal meals and receptions to advance the Governor's representational and advocacy role.

"Visiting public officials and state public servants are also welcomed to the House to familiarise the Governor with governing activities," the spokeswoman said. "This includes state government ministers from time to time, and the broader parliamentary representation. "The Governor has requested that, for guests of government, including Royal visitors, and outstanding people visiting the state for industry, arts, and other societal interests, that the use of accommodation be offered to advance the state’s interests. The guest rooms of the House have been refurbished to improve efficiency and amenity, to make the area even more effective for an anticipated increase in usage." The spokeswoman confirmed Premier Mark McGowan and his family spent a night at Government House for "both business and social reasons". "Additionally, and as with all previous Governors, from time to time friends of the Governor are hosted in the Governor’s apartment and are looked after by the Governor and spouse in an informal capacity," she said.

"The Governor’s Establishment recognises that this major increase in activity imposes additional burdens on the staff whose number has not increased accordingly. The Establishment is sensitive to this." Although questions asking for details of spending in Government House were not answered, the spokeswoman said the Governor's Establishment budget was determined through the state’s budget process and approved by Parliament. "The financial statements at the end of this financial year will be audited and submitted to Parliament in the Annual Report for 2018/19," she said. "The establishment is currently running to budget." The spokeswoman said it was not unusual in any organisation for staff to experience health issues which require extended periods of personal leave.