THE delayed tabling of more than 250 annual reports in Victorian Parliament on Tuesday has been slammed by Nationals leader Peter Walsh.
Accusing the government of avoiding scrutiny, Mr Walsh said the “deceitful sidestep” by Premier Daniel Andrews was to ensure “he and his secrets remained hidden from public scrutiny” prior to the state election.
“As voters headed to the polls in November, the Premier sat on more than 250 annual reports which weren’t released before Parliament rose ahead of the election,” he said.
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.
But a letter from Treasurer Tim Pallas to Lower House speaker Maree Edwards and then Upper House president Nazih Elasmar revealed there had been an “unavoidable high risk” most reports would not meet that timetable.
The letter said the Auditor-General advised “the currently scarce resources in the accounting industry” were to blame.
Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia spokesperson Dr Jane Rennie confirmed to 3AW there was a “critical shortage” of accountants.
Some of the 2021-22 annual reports tabled on the first sitting day of the 60th Parliament included Swan Hill District Health, the CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria, Ambulance Victoria, Suburban Rail Loop Authority, Ports Victoria, Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, Parks Victoria and V/Line.
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.”
