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Friday, November 1, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Lack of auditing of staff gifts surprises Libs

Shadow Assistant Treasurer Peter Cain.

THERE’S a “concerning culture” of poor money management under the Labor–Greens government that has gone unchecked for too long, says Liberal shadow assistant treasurer Peter Cain. 

Cain put questions to Chris Steel, the minister responsible for Venues ACT, last week regarding the efficiency and value for money of its maintenance.

“Minister Steel said he had no ability to gauge whether value for money will be delivered,” says Cain.

“It was disclosed in Annual Reports Hearings that Venues ACT does not undergo regular auditing of its property services work allocation, nor is there auditing of the list of gifts declared by staff each year.”

Cain says proper governance and auditing of performance and procurements are essential to a well–managed budget.

“We have heard recently from the auditor-general that the poor culture of procurement in the ACT public service was due to lack of expertise, unawareness and in some cases naivety,” he said.

“Culture starts and stops with the minister, and Venues ACT is under the same ministerial direction as procurement policy.

“The ACT has a massive structural deficit and Minister Steel has demonstrated he cannot provide any insight into whether value for money is being delivered. Perhaps this is an insight into why the ACT is in such an appalling position.”

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