More on the abuse of the Regional Projects Fund following this report yesterday:
bungie wrote:Rort claims: PM looking down the barrel
Annabel Stafford and Jewel Topsfield, Canberra
November 16, 2007
A DAMNING report on the Howard Government's $328 million regional projects fund has reignited claims that the scheme has been blatantly used by the Government for pork-barrelling in Coalition electorates.
The report, by the National Audit Office, found the scheme had been plagued by political interference, disregard for rules and guidelines and a lack of transparency.
Full article here ...
Vaile's somewhat hysterical response to the Auditor-general's report. Note: JH is letting Vaile carry the can on this one..:
Vaile attacks auditor's office
Cath Hart and Selina Mitchell
November 17, 2007/the AUSTRALIAN
DEPUTY Prime Minister Mark Vaile has launched an extraordinary attack on the office of the Auditor-General following the release of a damning report exposing the Government's abuse of a $328million grants program for regional Australia.
The Nationals leader, who in 1996 argued for the Auditor-General's full independence, has attempted to turn the political blowtorch on the office for its campaign release of a 1200-page report into the controversial Regional Partnerships Program.
"To have an unelected individual who is a statutory office-holder making a decision on the release of a report like this with timing like that -- maybe that's something that needs to be looked at, maybe that's something the next government of Australia should have a look at," Mr Vaile said yesterday.
In October 1996, Mr Vaile outlined to parliament a blueprint for enhancing the independence of the Auditor-General.
"I am sure the Government will take up the recommendations in this report and it will be to the betterment of government and the better governance and scrutiny of governance in this country for many years to come," he said.
Yesterday, Mr Vaile hit out at the Australian National Audit Office, describing as "strange" the release of the report just nine days before the November 24poll.
He signalled that a re-elected Coalition would consider extending election-time caretaker provisions to other non-executive arms of government, such as officers of parliament.
But John Howard failed to back up his deputy yesterday, telling reporters he had "nothing critical to say about the Auditor-General".
The Prime Minister strongly defended the regional partnerships scheme and the involvement of ministers in the process. "I believe that from time to time ministers have every right not to take the advice of their department, otherwise you wouldn't bother having them," Mr Howard said. ... <cont>
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22772733-601,00.html