Victorian Auditor-General demands transparency on COVID-19 spending

The Victorian Auditor-General's Office has called for greater transparency regarding the total cost of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While previous estimates placed the total cost at approximately $39.8 billion, the watchdog reports that the full figure remains unclear due to a lack of cross-departmental reporting.

The integrity body noted that the government ceased publishing data on cross-departmental pandemic initiatives after the 2021-22 period, which contradicted previous recommendations. The report highlighted ongoing costs, including legal fees and the management of flawed payments.

Additional financial concerns include the write-off of expired personal protective equipment, estimated at over $770 million between 2023 and 2025. Furthermore, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions has written off at least $72.5 million in flawed COVID-19 grants as of mid-2025.