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2 clusters · 9 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Victorian COVID-19 grant fraud investigation

Overview

An investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), titled Operation Harmonia, has revealed that senior bureaucrats in Victoria attempted to conceal massive failures regarding COVID-19 pandemic support grants.

IBAC found that between 2021 and 2022, approximately 9,000 ineligible businesses allegedly obtained between $257 million and $285 million in payments by backdating their GST registrations. The investigation concluded that senior officials within the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions intentionally withheld critical information from the department head, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, and the Victorian Ombudsman.

Specifically, a deputy secretary directed that information regarding the suspected losses be removed from a draft report intended for the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery. IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott stated that this conduct was contrary to the Victorian Public Sector code of conduct and professional obligations. While some officers attempted to raise concerns, leadership failed to act, allowing fraudulent grants to continue and leaving the government uninformed.

Entities

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission · Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions · Victoria Elliott · Victoria · Anthony Albanese

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 7 sources
    Australia faces political violence, corruption probes, and corporate allegations

    Australia faces multiple challenges, including a targeted political attack on MP Helen Haines, IBAC findings of concealed COVID-19 grant fraud, and whistleblower allegations of mismanagement at Yarra Trams.

  2. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    IBAC finds Victorian bureaucrats covered up COVID-19 grant errors

    IBAC found that senior Victorian bureaucrats covered up the wrongful payment of up to $285 million in COVID-19 grants to over 9,000 ineligible businesses by withholding information from ministers.

Sources

americanindependent.com · brisbanetimes.com.au · businessday.com.au · governmentnews.com.au · m.smh.com.au · smh.com.au · startsat60.com · theage.com.au · thewest.com.au