24-January-2012
Portfolio Media Releases
The Auditor General has today exposed the Gillard government’s sense of entitlement when it comes to ministers meting out grants in their own electorates.
In its audit of the Administration of Government Grants the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) revealed that of 110 grants approved by government ministers in their own electorates 33 had not even been reported to the Finance Minister as required.
“This indicates an underreporting of own electorate grants in the relevant period of at least 38 per cent,” the report states. In addition 11 grants which had been reported, were approved by ministers for projects that were “recommended be rejected”.
“In none of the 11 instances where Ministers had reported the approval of grants in such circumstances did the reporting … result in Finance recommending to its Minister that any further action be taken, or the Finance Minister otherwise
initiating any action...”
Shadow Finance Minister Andrew Robb said the report exposed the government for what it is. “It highlights the waste, the indulgence, the self interest and the sense of entitlement that is so typical of this government. There is no proper accountability,” he said.
Mr Robb said it was a state of mind that is entrenched across a government that is beyond redemption.
“Where has Penny Wong been on all of this? This is core business for a Finance Minister, but she has clearly been asleep at the wheel. Government ministers are just thumbing their nose at her and she is either oblivious or doesn’t care.”
Mr Robb also noted the rank hypocrisy from a government which moralised about proper process and transparency when in opposition.