Published on 19 October 2022

The Commission has prepared a report examining allegations that two public officers at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport misused their government purchase cards. The Commission’s report, Buy Now, Lie Later: Corruption risks in the management of government issued purchase cards has been tabled in Parliament.

It was alleged that over approximately three years, the public officers charged almost $400,000 to their purchase cards and while most of these purchases were deemed legitimate, a number appeared unnecessary for their roles. Almost 10 percent of the items purchased could not be accounted for.

During the investigation, the Commission uncovered a manual receipt submitted to the electronic records management system for $2,000 of computer hardware which read: ‘Fake receipt to keep Pro Master happy :)’.

Commissioner Vanstone said, ‘Unfortunately, the misuse of government purchase cards has been the subject of many complaints and reports dealt with by me and the former Commissioner.’

When a pattern of purchase card misuse develops, the improper expenditure of public funds can quickly accumulate.

The report makes five recommendations in relation to the management of government purchase cards and asset management.

The Department has accepted the Commission’s five recommendations and will address them by March 2023.

Media Release - Buy Now, Lie Later tabled in Parliament

Buy Now, Lie Later: Corruption risks in the management of government issued purchase cards

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