Thread by @terrimbutler

The Auditor-General’s report into strategic water entitlements procurement came out today.

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#water #cewh #auditorgeneral #auspol #auspolitics #australianlabor #australianlaborparty #scottyfrommarketing #environment #environmentalwater

This is the report that was prompted by multiple calls for an investigation into, among other things, an $80 million purchase of water entitlements from a company that had links to Coalition MP and Minister Angus Taylor.

The government had switched from an “open tender” to a “limited tender” process. The Auditor-General’s report found that the department did not consistently apply approved policy, planning and guidance to the assessment of all limited tender procurements.

The report also found that the department did not develop a framework designed to maximise value for money.

As to the latter, the report says:

“The department did not develop a framework designed to maximise value for money. Rather, the department relied on a methodology of valuations of water entitlements where gap bridging was required.

“In the advice to the Minister and the departmental delegate, information relating to a value for money assessment as well as triple bottom line outcomes was limited. There is limited evidence of appropriate assessment to inform these statements.

“The department did not negotiate the price for the water entitlements it purchased in all but one instance. Probity management arrangements were different to those applied to open tenders and conflict of interest declarations were not clearly documented.

“The department has not adequately planned for evaluation of the strategic water purchasing program.”