ACT Leader Richard Prebble confirmed today that he has had discussions with the Auditor General, Mr Macdonald regarding the serious allegations made in Parliament concerning the Waipareira Trust.

“The Auditor General stated to me that the Audit Office was instigating inquiries into the allegations,” said Richard Prebble.

“I advised the Auditor General of further serious allegations that the ACT Party has received regarding the Waipareira Trust.

“The Auditor General indicated that he was handicapped in his inquiries by the fact that the Waipareira Trust is a private organisation. Even though the Trust receives over $8 million of taxpayer’s money each year, almost its entire source of income, the Auditor General cannot audit the Trust’s use of the taxpayer’s money.

“What the Auditor General is going to do is go back to the Government Departments and agencies that have been funding the Trust to examine their contracts to see if the services contracted for have in fact been provided.

“The Auditor General raises a very interesting legal point. If the Government is going to contract with outside providers such as the Trust, how is Parliament to ensure that the taxpayer is getting value for money and taxpayer’s money is being spent in a way that is appropriate for public money.

“ACT’s Rodney Hide has also forwarded information that we have received to the Police given the allegations of criminal misconduct that have been made,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

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