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Canberra Today 16°/18° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Coe’s Bill commits to financial integrity

Alistair Coe
A BILL, which seeks to enhance transparency over government expenditure, was presented in the Legislative Assembly today (September 20) by Opposition Leader Alistair Coe. 

The “Government Procurement (Financial Integrity) Amendment Bill” aims to close the loopholes, which allow the ACT government to avoid scrutiny and cover up questionable decisions.

“I am very pleased to present this Bill which is the first of six separate integrity measures announced in my Budget Reply earlier this year,” Mr Coe says. 

“The ACT has a problem. Canberrans are paying more, getting less and are seeing their hard-earned money being used improperly.

“The Bill seeks to improve financial integrity and transparency by requiring the government to make public all payments over $12,500, including property and reimbursements.

“Canberrans have a right to know how their money is being spent and this Bill will enhance transparency on government expenditure.

“I am hopeful that Labor and the Greens will commit to financial integrity in government and support this Bill.”

The five remaining integrity measures announced by the Canberra Liberals are:

  • A Public Works Committee – to safeguard the ACT against recurring problems with infrastructure projects.
  • Giving more options to whistle-blowers – making it easier for public servants to call out actual or suspected wrongdoing.
  • Tracking agency audits – allowing Assembly Committees to receive twice yearly progress reports on audit activities of ACT government agencies.
  • Improving the unsolicited proposals process – to give more clarity in legislation with regards to timelines and IP protection.
  • Reporting land acquisitions – to ensure all land acquisitions are reported to an Assembly Committee, addressing certain criteria.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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