Officials accused of hiding $260m COVID scandal now lead the NDIS
Two Victorian officials found by an anti-corruption watchdog to have concealed a $260 million COVID grant scandal now work in top roles at the NDIS.
Victoria's corruption watchdog found two senior bureaucrats withheld information about almost $260 million in COVID-19 grants paid to 9000 ineligible businesses. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission made adverse findings against three officials from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, saying they failed to meet integrity standards.
The two most senior of the three now hold management positions at the National Disability Insurance Agency, which administers a $50 billion scheme supporting 782,000 people. IBAC concluded the officials did not disclose the suspected losses to their minister, preventing decisions about suspending or recouping payments.
Only $8 million has been repaid so far. The NDIA has refused to comment on whether it will take action based on the watchdog's findings.
- $260 million
- COVID grants to ineligible businesses
- 9000 businesses
- Ineligible recipients
- $8 million
- Amount repaid so far
- 782,000 people
- NDIS beneficiaries
Why it mattersLeadership integrity at the NDIS matters directly to the people it serves, and serious questions now hang over whether officials with adverse integrity findings should oversee a scheme already plagued by fraud and waste.
AustraliaAustralians relying on disability support need confidence in the NDIA's leadership; these findings raise concerns about accountability at the top of the scheme.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
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