• Leaked memo shows commitment to make audit findings public*
• But 25 recommendations are being kept secret
• Rockliff takes government secrecy and deception to new low
The Hodgman Liberal Government and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff have taken their secrecy and deception of Tasmanians to a new low by wilfully withholding the findings of an audit into TasTAFE.
Shadow Skills and Training Minister Josh Willie said a leaked June memo from the interim TasTAFE CEO and the Australian Education Union to all staff provided a commitment to publicly release the findings of an independent audit on a quarterly basis but Mr Rockliff had chosen to keep the first report released to him last week in his bottom drawer.
“The secrecy this government consciously and intentionally foists upon Tasmanians knows no bounds,” Mr Willie said.
“TasTAFE staff and students and all Tasmanians want and deserve to know what is going on after months of uncertainty and scandal at the highest levels and Mr Rockliff doesn’t want them to know.
“You can only assume there is something very serious to hide because there is no good reason – legal or otherwise – to keep this first interim report hidden away after the government committed to be open, honest and transparent.
“Tasmanians have come to understand they can expect nothing less of this deliberately secret and dishonest government.
“How can Tasmanians have any faith in the audit of TasTAFE if the findings are kept secret?”
“A lack of transparency and a culture of secrecy is how TasTAFE ended up in this mess.
“The Integrity Commission highlighted nepotism and a misuse of taxpayer funds and Tasmanians need to know what is contained in the 25 recommendations from the first three months of the audit.
“It’s a critical time for TasTAFE and the Minister is doing nothing to provide confidence that there will be transparency in the process to restore confidence in the institution.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Minister for Youth, Skills and Training
