Mr EDE - 1994-08-24
The Auditor-General's report tabled yesterday showed that overpayments in excess of $40 000 on executive contracts had occurred in the Department of Industries and Development and that the potential existed for overpayments on executive contracts in other departments. How did the overpayments occur in the Department of Industries and Development, and have overpayments occurred in other departments or agencies? How does it happen that executive contracts have been overpaid while wage and salaried public servants had to wait 3 years for their 4% enterprise agreement pay rise?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, speaking briefly about the Auditor-General's Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1994, I think that this would be the best report that this government has ever received from the Auditor-General. Out of $2200m expenditure, the best that the Leader of the Opposition can come up with is a $40 000 discrepancy. I think that indicates ...
Mr Ede: There are plenty more!
Mr COULTER: If that is the magnitude ...
Mr Ede: So $40 000 is okay?
Mr COULTER: I recall the Auditor-General used the word 'fraud' in a report not long ago. I believe this is an indictment of the reforms that have taken place over the last 2 years. I am very proud of this report because it indicates that things are going well in terms of the audit requirements of government right across the Northern Territory.
Mr Ede: What a load of garbage! Answer the question.
Mr COULTER: Let me and I will. Of course, the amount of $40 000 relating to executive contracts in the Department of Industries and Development should be a matter for
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the relevant minister. The Treasurer cannot answer all the questions pertaining to each department. We have had debates on the Auditor-General's reports year after year. The member for Wanguri would know full well the heartache that he tried to give me in relation to the museum. He continued endlessly to pursue the museums section of the report. That is the way it is done.
I conclude by saying that there is no scandal in this. This is probably one of the best audit reports that this government has ever received. If the Leader of the Opposition wants any information in relation to any particular section, he should address his questions to the relevant minister.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, speaking briefly about the Auditor-General's Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1994, I think that this would be the best report that this government has ever received from the Auditor-General. Out of $2200m expenditure, the best that the Leader of the Opposition can come up with is a $40 000 discrepancy. I think that indicates ...
Mr Ede: There are plenty more!
Mr COULTER: If that is the magnitude ...
Mr Ede: So $40 000 is okay?
Mr COULTER: I recall the Auditor-General used the word 'fraud' in a report not long ago. I believe this is an indictment of the reforms that have taken place over the last 2 years. I am very proud of this report because it indicates that things are going well in terms of the audit requirements of government right across the Northern Territory.
Mr Ede: What a load of garbage! Answer the question.
Mr COULTER: Let me and I will. Of course, the amount of $40 000 relating to executive contracts in the Department of Industries and Development should be a matter for
Page 60
the relevant minister. The Treasurer cannot answer all the questions pertaining to each department. We have had debates on the Auditor-General's reports year after year. The member for Wanguri would know full well the heartache that he tried to give me in relation to the museum. He continued endlessly to pursue the museums section of the report. That is the way it is done.
I conclude by saying that there is no scandal in this. This is probably one of the best audit reports that this government has ever received. If the Leader of the Opposition wants any information in relation to any particular section, he should address his questions to the relevant minister.
Page 61
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016