The Crime and Misconduct Commission will review the current accountability systems used to administer state funds to Indigenous organisations.
The decision to carry out the review follows recent allegations of corrupt activities by several individuals involved in managing a number of Indigenous organisations in Townsville relating to the Health, Housing and Ageing sector.
CMC Chairperson Martin Moynihan AO QC says the review is not an investigation as the organisations do not fall within the CMC’s jurisdiction.
‘Legally, the CMC can’t investigate the allegations made against the Indigenous organisations; however, we can utilise our prevention function,’ Mr Moynihan said.
‘Under the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 we have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in the Queensland public sector.
‘In this case, in the interests of maintaining confidence in the mechanisms used to administer public funds to the Indigenous corporate sector, the CMC will carry out a review,’ Mr Moynihan said.
‘This will involve examining the current accountability systems used by state government agencies which are responsible for administering these arrangements.
‘The CMC will seek the cooperation of relevant state agencies and other stakeholders, including federal government bodies, to ensure the highest possible accountability standards are in place whenever public money is provided to non-government organisations,’ Mr Moynihan said.
