FOI shows billions may be lost in BER management
14 Oct 2009
Media release FOI documents obtained by the NSW Opposition showing that one quarter of NSW BER funding has been lost in management fees would mean that as much as $3 billion may have been wasted nationally if other states have the same costs, Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education said today.
"The schools stimulus debacle is unravelling and the part-time Minister for Education refuses to admit there is a problem," said Mr Pyne
"Action is long overdue. The Minister must begin an immediate investigation into management fee skimming for all the states and territories, and release the figures for each state and territory so taxpayers can see how many billions of dollars have been wasted.
"Perhaps Ms Gillard will say that $3 billion of taxpayer funds lost to fees and charges, rather than going to schools, is 'a sign of the program's success' - as she did when announcing a $1.7 billion blow-out in the school hall program.
"All the Government's good intentions are being frittered away in fees and charges because Ms Gillard doesn't do detail well.
"From now on when the Minister mentions successful projects in each electorate she should add how much money has been wasted due to this skimming debacle.
"The Coalition will add this to the long list of issues we have already sent to the Auditor-General for investigation."
14 October, 2009
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Adam Howard
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