Green Loans debacle continues as audit reports reveal extent of
wrong-doing
Thursday 8 July 2010
There are more questions than answers remaining about the Gillard
government’s household energy efficiency programs after today’s
announcement by Minister Penny Wong.
The changes to the Green Loans program, rolling it into the already
planned Green Start program, come as the Minister released damning audit
reports into the management of Green Loans. Patricia Faulkner’s report
found that 96% of procurements breached proper practices and there were
‘repeated and systematic breaches’ of financial management regulations.
“The thousands of small business people who have been left in the lurch
by the extraordinary mismanagement of this program will feel vindicated
by these incredibly damning audit reports,” Australian Greens Deputy
Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.
“But feeling vindicated does not pay the bills. These people need
solutions and today’s announcement still leaves them in limbo, with
little clarity about the future.
“Even today’s announcement was botched, with little information provided
on the changes to the scheme and the audit reports released, then
removed from the Department’s website before finally being replaced over
an hour later.
“The audit reports make for deeply troubling reading, with systematic
breaches of procurement policies and basic financial management
regulations.
“Unlike the understandably rushed insulation roll-out, Green Loans was a
long-planned election promise. You have to ask how the training,
accreditation and seemingly every other process went so badly wrong.
“It is important to note that the ‘new’ Green Start program is not new.
It has been long planned. The Minister has not made it clear how the two
previously separate programs will interact, or revealed basics such as
how many household assessments they intend to procure through the new
grant administration arrangements.
“Thousands of assessors are still in limbo, with no clarity as to how
their numbers will be culled and no news on whether compensation will be
forthcoming. All those who have been accredited but not yet contracted
to the department are still waiting for any change.
“Regardless of the problems with both the insulation roll-out and the
Green Loans scheme, energy efficiency remains by far the fastest and
cheapest way to reduce emissions, and the Greens have positive and
constructive ideas for how to make it happen.
“The Greens will continue to work with assessors and others to attempt
to convince Minister Wong to support their desire to help Australian
householders save money and energy.”
The audit reports are available at:
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/media/whats-new/green-loans.aspx
Tim Hollo
Media Adviser
Senator Christine Milne | Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate
Change Spokesperson
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3588 | M: 0437
587 562
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