A belief the cost of propping up retail crime advisors is money well spent – and that's from a key member of the advisory group.  

It's been revealed $500 thousand has been spent on the Retail Ministerial Advisory Group in the 102 days to June 30.

Group Chair Sunny Kaushal told Heather du Plessis-Allan the group's coming in under budget, and money is required for their proposals.  

He says retail crime is costing $2.8 billion, and if laws are to change, they need to produce quality reports.  

Kaushal says the money's coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund. 

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