SA Water executives cash in on plastic with flowers, restaurants and gifts as consumer bills rise It's been a case of plastic fantastic for SA Water executives who have spent more than $365,000 in 12 months on credit card expenses. SA WATER executives spent more than $365,000 in 12 months on credit card expenses including flowers, high-end restaurants and gifts of liquor, jewellery and chocolates. The spending details have only been revealed through a Freedom of Information Act application, and are otherwise never made public by the department. UnitingCommunities spokesman Mark Henley said in the context of bill increases, all utility providers, whether private or public, should show restraint when it came to executive perks. "It is a good thing to celebrate some things in life, but ... all government departments should try to keep these costs minimal because consumers just can't afford to pay for these excesses and that goes for AGL, SA Power Networks and Australia Post," he said. I don't want to be mean spirited but the bottom line is that these costs have to be paid for by consumers who are struggling. In 2011-12, each executive spent, on average, more than $8000 on their credit card. Executives earn up to $500,000 a year. Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire applied for the expense accounts under Freedom of Information. "The blue-collar SA Water worker called out in the middle of the night to fix the burst water main would only be eligible for overtime and has no corporate card to claim their Hungry Jack's purchases," he said. Given the Labor Government's mismanagement of SA Water, the desalination plant and now huge increases to water bills, SA Water executives need to lead by example and show they are keeping their costs to a minimum. An SA Water spokesman said credit card spending was just $1 in every $100 of the organisation's expenditure. He said a $90 gift of flowers for a staff member who had a baby was "compliant with SA Water expenditure." SA Water also defended a $600 farewell lunch at Chianti Classico for chairman Philip Pledge, who was paid up to $80,000 a year to attend monthly board meetings. One of the highest single expenses was a table at a State of the State speech by Premier Jay Weatherill, which cost $1320, despite SA Water being able to ask for a meeting with the Premier at any time. One executive bought a $229 carry case with wheels for their laptop so that they did not injure their neck while on an overseas trip. Another spent $209 on laundry while in France. One retiree was gifted a $67 bottle of spirits from Dan Murphy's and another a $144 gift of jewellery. A bill for baby flowers and corporate flowers was for $509. Lunch in Bordeaux (France), $386 Meal in Marseille, $326 Meal in Paris, $153 Reward and recognition, Liquorland, $256 Flowers for birth of child, $90 Christmas lunch, $583 Farewell lunch, Chianti Classico, $600 Christmas lunch, Chesser Cellars, $500 Deposit for Christmas party, $454 Staff gift, Vintage Cellars, $55 Reward for staff dinner, ESCA restaurant, $915 Average per cardholder: $8601