Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has dismissed scathing anti-corruption findings that state authorities ministers and officers breached their duties as an “educational report”.
But the premier insisted the report had not pointed the finger at anybody in his authorities and is solely about “educating about risks”.
“There are no findings against anyone in this report,” he stated.
“The corruption commission has not found any corrupt conduct.
“We thank (IBAC) for what they time period an ‘instructional report.'”
Andrews noted the staff members referred to in the report no longer worked for the government and said he would lead a process to consider IBAC’s 17 recommendations.
“Obviously I’m accountable and essentially answerable for driving a course of to contemplate these suggestions,” he said.
Ahead of the 2018 election, the Department of Health and Human Services entered into a contract with the Health Education Federation (HEF) to provide training to health workers.
The HEF was a new entity of the Health Workers Union (HWU).
Andrews and former health ministers Hennessy and Jenny Mikakos were all cleared of corrupt conduct by the investigation but strongly rebuked in the report for the “failings” and “unethical conduct” that led to the contract’s awarding.
IBAC acting commissioner Stephen Farrow said the investigation revealed breaches of duties and obligations of ministers, ministerial advisers and senior public servants.
“Our investigation confirmed that the HWU was given privileged entry and beneficial remedy in its entry to ministerial workplaces,” he said.
“The proposal from HEF raised a battle between the federal government’s curiosity in procuring probably the most appropriate provider for the coaching and the governing social gathering’s curiosity in helping an affiliated union.
“This conflict of interest was not properly managed or declared.”
He stated advisers within the premier’s non-public workplace and the well being minister’s workplace had “interfered” to make sure the contract continued.
“The DHHS awarded the contract to HEF without a competitive procurement process due to senior staff in the department believing it was the minister’s and government’s preference, and because of ongoing pressure from both the Minister for Health’s advisor and secretary of the union,” Farrow stated.
“This conduct by senior public servants falls short of the required Victorian public sector standards.”
IBAC made 17 suggestions to the federal government following the report.
It stated the suggestions will present a transparent understanding to ministers of their obligations and of their accountability for the administration of ministerial workers.
The report additionally stated the position of ministerial advisers needs to be extra clear and accountable.
IBAC known as on the federal government to report again on their response to the suggestions by October 31 this 12 months and once more by June 30 subsequent 12 months.
Source: www.9news.com.au
