Public hearings will likely be heard for the CIT investigation that saw almost $9 million worth of contracts awarded to one contractor, the ACT Integrity Commissioner revealed in Budget Estimates Hearings today.
However, the Canberra Liberals say, the Integrity Commissioner also revealed that the ACT Government will not grant the Integrity Commission the full resources and powers it needs to properly investigate issues.
“There is no doubt the current CIT contracts investigation has garnered a significant amount of interest from the Canberra community and it is not surprising it is likely public hearings will take place,” Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said.
“The Commissioner has made it clear the investigation is complex with plenty to look into, and it is concerning that he also stated the Integrity Commission is not being given the full resources and powers it needs to properly investigate these issues.”
The Commissioner revealed in the hearing that Chief Minister Andrew Barr failed to respond to his request for a meeting regarding critical changes required in legislation, specifically telephone interception powers, Ms Lee claimed.
A government spokesperson stated, however, that the Chief Minister’s office communicated with the Integrity Commission on 17 August to advise an in-person meeting will be arranged after the Chief Minister has received advice and recommendations on the requested reforms from the public service.
“The Commissioner has long called for telephone interception powers, and it is incumbent on the Labor-Greens government to adequately ensure the Commissioner is given what he needs to ensure thorough investigations,” Ms Lee said.
“With more than a million documents related to the CIT investigation alone, it is concerning for the Commissioner to state at the current time he is ‘significantly under resourced’.”
The ACT Government is currently assessing reforms requested by the Integrity Commissioner, the spokesperson said.
Read more:
- Liberals have questions after CIT Estimates hearings (23 August)
- Integrity commission to review CIT contracts (23 June)
- Chris Steel will use ministerial powers to direct CIT (17 June)
- Elizabeth Lee: CIT internal review ‘rings alarm bells’ (17 June)
- CIT promises independent audit of multi-million Think Garden contract (15 June)
- CIT’s $9 million contracts a concern for taxpayers (7 June)
