STATEMENT BY ROBERT SCHWARTEN MP RE: CMC OPERATION MARS
Published Friday, 14 November, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
STATEMENT BY ROBERT SCHWARTEN MP, MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, HOUSING AND INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Two former Department of Public Works’ employees today pleaded guilty to offences which were detected back in 2003 by the Queensland Audit Office.
In November 2003 the QAO, in a routine audit of the Department of Public Works, advised of inconsistencies at QBuild’s Inala office.
The matters were immediately referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission and following its investigations the Director of Public Prosecutions was advised, and today’s outcome is the result of that.
The QAO initial report had been leaked to the Opposition by parties unknown but the leaking of the documents at that time had nothing to do with today’s outcome.
The fact is that we have an audit system which picks up anomalies, a department which acts on QAO enquiries, a CMC that independently investigates such anomalies and a Department of Public Prosecutions which brings these matters to court.
Queenslanders should take great comfort out of the fact that the systems put in place to protect their tax dollars are working.
The message couldn’t be clearer for anyone thinking they can rip off the tax payer.
The systems are there to catch them and they will be caught, as is illustrated by today’s outcome.
STATEMENT ENDS
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Two former Department of Public Works’ employees today pleaded guilty to offences which were detected back in 2003 by the Queensland Audit Office.
In November 2003 the QAO, in a routine audit of the Department of Public Works, advised of inconsistencies at QBuild’s Inala office.
The matters were immediately referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission and following its investigations the Director of Public Prosecutions was advised, and today’s outcome is the result of that.
The QAO initial report had been leaked to the Opposition by parties unknown but the leaking of the documents at that time had nothing to do with today’s outcome.
The fact is that we have an audit system which picks up anomalies, a department which acts on QAO enquiries, a CMC that independently investigates such anomalies and a Department of Public Prosecutions which brings these matters to court.
Queenslanders should take great comfort out of the fact that the systems put in place to protect their tax dollars are working.
The message couldn’t be clearer for anyone thinking they can rip off the tax payer.
The systems are there to catch them and they will be caught, as is illustrated by today’s outcome.
STATEMENT ENDS
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832