Walsh slams annual reports delay

Peter Bannan
THE delayed tabling of more than 250 annual reports in Victorian Parliament last week has been slammed by Nationals leader Peter Walsh.

Accusing the government of avoiding scrutiny, Mr Walsh said Premier Daniel Andrews had wanted to ensure “he and his secrets remained hidden from public scrutiny” prior to the state election.

However, an accountant shortage was blamed for the situation.

Annual reports are tabled on or before October 30 annually, and the last sitting day of Parliament for the last term was September 15.

A letter from Treasurer Tim Pallas revealed the Auditor-General had advised “the currently scarce resources in the accounting industry” were to blame.

The shortage was confirmed by Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia spokesperson Dr Jane Rennie.

Some of the 2021-22 annual reports tabled this week included Mildura Base Public Hospital, Robinvale District Health Service, Mallee Track Health and Community Service, Mallee Catchment Management Authority and Lower Murray Water.

Mr Walsh said Victorians deserved to know what was occurring in government agencies, rather than have it “obscured before they cast their vote”.
“The Andrews Government continues to overspend on city-based projects and these annual reports offer a glimpse into the expenditure, staffing and project management of our public agencies,” he said.

“Accountability, scrutiny and integrity are important, for not only the processes of government but also the elected officials.”

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