The Canberra Liberals state that the ACT Government has refused to answer their questions about the CIT contracts that saw $8.87 million spent on one contractor. But the minister concerned says that providing that information to the Liberals could hinder or interfere with an investigation.
CIT CEO Leanne Cover procured contracts worth nearly $9 million with ‘complexity and systems’ consultant Patrick Hollingworth since 2017, the Liberals revealed in June. ACT Skills Minister Chris Steel, unsatisfied with the “jargon”-ridden, “ill-defined” contracts, invited the Auditor-General in June to review the contract and pursue an inquiry.
Mr Steel and Chief Minister Andrew Barr took seven questions on notice in question time during the last sitting week in June, but all questions, including 45 asked since, came back stating the Minister would not provide an answer, the Liberals say.
For instance, Mr Steel’s letter to the CIT board referred to a letter of March 2021 and subsequent discussions between Mr Steel and the former CIT board chair, Craig Sloan, whose term ended in June. What, Liberal leader Elizabeth Lee wanted to know, was said in those discussions, and what action items arose from them? What was said in the discussions between Mr Steel’s office? Mr Barr took those questions on notice.
What further actions did Mr Barr or Mr Steel take over the course of 2021 to satisfy themselves the funds were spent appropriately?
“This question and related questions are matters that are currently the subject of an investigation by the ACT Integrity Commission,” Mr Steel responded. “To ensure the Integrity Commission’s work can proceed without interference, these questions cannot be responded to at this time.”
All questions taken on notice during that period and all subsequent questions came back with the same response from Mr Steel, a Liberal spokesman said.
- 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)
Ms Lee said that throughout the process, Mr Barr, Mr Steel, and the entire Labor-Greens government refused to be up front with Canberrans about what they knew, when they knew, and why they failed to act.
“It is absolutely imperative for the Minister to be upfront with the public about the murkiness that has clouded these contracts,” Ms Lee said.
“It is deplorable and a complete slap in the face to all Canberrans for the Minister to go into hiding.
“Canberrans deserve to know about the nature of the discussions he had with the CIT board about the contracts and what came out of those discussions.
“We know the Chief Minister in 2019 said he was confident these contracts represented value for money, and even last year, the Minister for Skills questioned the CIT Board about these contracts.
“To hide behind the current Integrity Commission investigation as an excuse not to answer questions even on topics that do not relate to the procurements and contracts themselves is a disgrace.
“It shows utter contempt for the community and confirms once again the culture of secrecy that is being fostered by this Labor-Greens government.”
Mr Steel told Canberra Daily: “Ms Lee is asking me to provide information that is possibly relevant to an investigation being conducted by the Integrity Commission. The Canberra Liberals should understand the duty on me, and themselves, to not hinder or interfere in the conduct of that investigation.
“The ACT Integrity Commission should be allowed to conduct its investigation free from interference.”
Ms Lee also stated that every single Freedom of Information request that the Canberra Liberals submitted regarding CIT contracts did not meet their statutory deadlines.
“Even with the extension, to come back with a blanket refusal to answer any questions makes a mockery of the seriousness of the issues that Canberrans have every right to know about,” Ms Lee said.
“This Labor-Greens government has no interest in transparency, accountability, or integrity, and it is clear having been in power for over 20 years that the culture of secrecy continues to poison this Labor-Greens government, and it must stop.”
