SUBMISSION – INQUIRY INTO THE ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENDITURE OF FUNDING UNDER THE URBAN CONGESTION FUND

When examining the administration and expenditure of the UCF the following needs to be considered:

• The department’s approach to identifying and selecting commuter car park projects for funding was not appropriate or transparent.

• The use of public money for political party gain is not acceptable and is a recognised form of corruption.

• A coordinated national integrity framework is needed to achieve a stronger approach to control corruption, including that associated with the expenditure of public funds.

• All agencies with major integrity functions need to be adequately resourced and given broad scope and mandate to operate effectively.

• Loopholes in the grants administration system need to be closed.

• Ministers and their advisors must demonstrate their understanding of the importance of rule of law and procedural fairness.

• Australia needs a parliamentary code of conduct to ensure all elected representatives uphold a high standard of conduct.

• Australia needs to establish a National Integrity Commission (NIC) that is fit for purpose, with investigative powers and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the government is held to account to act in the public interest.