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Finance Minister Dodges Responsibility Again

Finance Minister John Lenders was again left with nothing to say in Parliament yesterday after being questioned about the latest blowout in the cost of the Fast Rail Project.

By Philip Davis - 16th December 2004 - Back to News

When asked by Liberal Upper House Leader Philip Davis about the Bracks Government’s complete failure to control the expenditure on the Fast Rail Project contracts, Minister Lenders admitted he was responsible for government tendering and contracts but refused to answer the question.

Instead he hand-balled the question straight to Labor’s Major Projects Minister Peter Bachelor:

"….the Premier has given me carriage of government procurement policy" but "the specifics of any of the fast train contracts are appropriately the purview of the Minister for Transport." (Questions Without Notice, Legislative Council Hansard, 14 December 2004)

Two weeks ago John Lenders would not or could not answer any of the questions on the disturbing findings and conclusions by Auditor-General in his latest report on state finances and other audits into the Victorian public sector. This was despite the fact John Lenders had a copy of the final Auditor-General’s report at least a week before it was tabled in Parliament.

Mr Davis said it was little wonder John Lenders was evading answering any questions on the Fast Rail Project given the embarrassing blowout to $750 million since the project began.

Mr Davis said John Lenders’ continual approach to the state’s financial management was arrogant, unaccountable and evasive.

"John Lenders is ducking and weaving because he is totally incapable of applying financial discipline, as Finance Minister, to the Fast Rail Project.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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