SKILLS Minister Chris Steel has survived a vote of no-confidence after admitting he was aware of a series of “questionable” contracts awarded by the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

Opposition leader Elizabeth Lee moved the no-confidence vote in ACT Legislative Assembly today (June 8th), saying it was “astounding” that Mr Steel knew as early as March last year about millions of dollars in taxpayer funds awarded to a single person, and linked entities,  to provide “mentoring” to the CIT CEO.

The contracts were called into question after it was found the CIT had awarded $8.87 million to Think Garden and Redrouge Nominees Pty Ltd since 2018, both run by Patrick Hollingworth.

On his website, Mr Hollingworth describes himself as a “complexity and systems thinker” who “looks for patterns and weak signals” and who “works on reconfiguring organisational dynamics.”

Ms Lee said Canberra taxpayers should be outraged that at least $8.87 million has been awarded by CIT for one person to “effectively provide mentoring to the CEO” and that Minister Steel did not prevent the misuse of funds.

“Since the Minister raised these procurement issues with CIT 15 months ago, a further two contracts worth a combined $5.5 million have been awarded to the same individual,” Ms Lee said.

“There is no excuse for this gross failure of duty. If the Minister does not resign, the Chief Minister must sack him.”

Mr Steel said he has written to the board chair of the CIT, asking them to explain the necessity of the contracts and justify the spending.

“If this procurement has been found to have been undertaken without integrity and probity, or if CIT cannot prove it presents value for public money, I will take further action,” Mr Steel told the Assembly today.

Ms Lee said the issue is a sign of a “culture of secrecy” surrounding the ACT government, having previously called for all procurements over the past five years to be audited.