Minister refuses to provide the value of procurement contracts awarded to unions

Special Minister of State, Chris Steel, has refused to reveal the value of contracts awarded to unions or entities owned by unions since the 2016 ACT election.

Responding to a Question Taken on Notice, the Minister advised that even taking ‘a conservative estimate’, there are roughly 1,300 union-affiliated businesses the Directorate would need to check to determine the value of contracts awarded to unions or entities.

Mr Steel stated it would be an ‘unreasonable diversion of resources’ to provide the details of these contracts.

Shadow Assistant Treasurer Peter Cain said he is bewildered by the Minister’s apparent disregard for any transparency on what is a fair and necessary question given the context.

“The Labor Deputy Chief Minister is under investigation by the Integrity Commissioner for alleged union interference on a contract that cost taxpayers an additional $897,000,” Mr Cain said.

“That represents only one contract.

“There are 1,300 union-affiliated businesses operating in the ACT, meaning there are just as many opportunities for misusing public funds through lack of oversight.

“To say ‘look on the contact register’ or claim this is as an ‘unreasonable diversion of resources’ lacks probity.

“The link between Labor and the unions means there is a strong potential for a conflict of interest if not sufficiently open for public scrutiny.

“I wonder whether taxpayers would consider it an ‘unreasonable diversion of public service resources’ in answering a question central to government integrity?

“Transparency and truth build trust and this Labor-Greens Government needs reminding of this fact far too often,” Mr Cain concluded.