Statement - Minister's attacks on independent agency are alarming

Statement from the Shadow Treasurer

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer

Instead of accepting the findings of the independent Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, the Minister for Public and Active Transport has wildly attacked the Auditor.

The Auditor-General’s office has exposed an additional almost $15 billion blowout in major project costs. Damningly, it has also been found that the State Government reporting “is not meaningful, reliable or comprehensive” and is “not always accurately and transparently” reported. 

Despite these findings, which call on the Government to more accurately report how taxpayer’s money is spent, the Minister attacked the Auditor, saying the report is “shoddy” and questioned the “professional, accurate…(and) standard of integrity” of the agency.

The Shadow Treasurer, James Newbury, said: “The outrageous attack by the Government on the character and competence of the independent Auditor-General deserves an immediate apology”.

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer