South Australian Labor's party politics is proving pricey Premier Jay Weatherill and Governor Kevin Scarce Picture with backdrop of the new BrandSA launch at the Festival Centre: Dylan Coker Source: The Advertiser TELL US: Is this money well spent? THE State Government spent more than $350,000 on private functions at the Adelaide Convention Centre - including almost $100,000 to celebrate international events. The spending was funded by taxpayers at the same time the Government was slashing services and public sector jobs. Documents obtained by the Sunday Mail this week under Freedom of Information laws reveal that between May 2010 and May 2012 the Department of Premier and Cabinet spent $352,914 on entertaining guests and staff at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Among the functions were: A $70,000 soiree for Adelaide's Indian and sporting communities to celebrate the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi; A $21,250 party in April 2011 to thank public servants for service "improvements"; A $13,500 afternoon tea in May 2011 for members of the Polish community to celebrate the beatification of Pope John Paul II; A $10,300 party hosted by then Premier Mike Rann in August 2011 to celebrate the Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand, and; A $112,000 Mad March party hosted by Premier Jay Weatherill in March last year. The Freedom of Information request - submitted in May last year - also revealed another $123,000 was spent by the Premier or ministers on various other "receptions" between May 2010 and 2012. During this time the Government was slashing services and reducing the number of public servants. This included the loss of 831 public service jobs in 2010-11, a $1.5 million cut to Local Health Management in April 2011, announcement of a further 400 job losses in June 2011, and more than 50 job losses at the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission by June 2012. Mr Weatherill said the Government "has hosted events for community groups, including the Indian and Polish communities" but "significant cuts" to corporate hospitality have been made. "The State Dinner was abolished and replaced with a more modest State Reception, which also serves to celebrate other Adelaide events held in February and March," he said. We will save almost $300,000 over four years by not renewing the lease on corporate facilities at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. The Department of Premier and Cabinet was unable to provide details of receptions held this month or their cost.