The Canberra Liberals claim that questions remain over reporting of corruption and fraud within the ACT Public Service.

During Estimates Hearings today, Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said the Head of Major Projects Canberra, Duncan Edghill, could not answer if at any stage he had reported maladministration, corruption, or fraud to the Head of Service as required under law, including the Campbell Primary Modernisation Project.

Last year, the Auditor-General found the Campbell Primary School procurement lacked probity. The ACT Government announced in 2018/19 that it would spend $18.8 million to modernise Campbell Primary School, built in 1961. Out of six firms that expressed interest, two were invited to submit tenders: Lendlease Building and Manteena Commercial. Lendlease was awarded the contract for services in September 2020, and construction work began in January 2021.

The Auditor-General’s report, published in December, found that the delegate for the procurement, the Acting Executive Group Manager, Business Services Division (Education Directorate), did not deal with tenderers “fairly, impartially, and consistently”. The delegate re-weighted and re-prioritised the evaluation criteria, and placed unfair pressure on Manteena to acquire its design for less than its value.

• Liberals’ motion for dedicated integrity committee fails (6 August)
• Canberra Liberals accuse Berry over Campbell procurement (5 April)
• Liberals call for audit of ACT Government procurements (1 March)
• Building tenderers urged to report suspicious procurement processes (23 February)

Mr Edghill took on notice Ms Lee’s questions regarding the ACT Public Sector Management Act 1994 that relates to public sector conduct and requires a public servant to report corrupt or fraudulent behaviour to the Head of Major Projects. He confirmed he would not be able to provide the answer by the end of the hearing.

“It is concerning the Head of Major Projects is unable to recall something as significant as reporting maladministration, corruption, or fraud to the Head of Service,” Ms Lee said.

“Major Projects Canberra supported the Education Directorate to run the tender for the Campbell Primary Modernisation Project where the preferred tenderer was not selected.

“It is clear that the tender process for the Campbell Primary Modernisation Project that is now under investigation by the Integrity Commissioner should have raised alarm bells and at least been considered for reporting under the act.”

Mr Edghill said the Campbell Primary Modernisation was the only project he was aware of where the Major Projects Canberra recommendation was ignored, and he could not recall if he had advised the Head of Service over the matter.

“This raises significant questions about whether there are serious issues with procurement that are not being reported as required,” Ms Lee said.

“It is also concerning that a recent 2021 ACT Government Employee Survey indicated four per cent of Major Projects staff had witnessed corruption at work and nothing was or could be done to address this alarming situation.”