Page 1878 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 June 2021

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I acknowledge Ms Castley’s specific calls for the Auditor-General to audit the scheme. However, the facts are that the Auditor-General Act 1996 is abundantly clear that the Auditor-General cannot be directed regarding which audits to undertake. That said, I repeat that I welcome scrutiny. The aim of the amendment is to be true to the heart of the call in Ms Castley’s motion, while not asking for the Auditor-General to do something that cannot be done, as per the legislation.

If the Auditor-General determines that an audit into the ChooseCBR program should form part of the audit program, now or in the future, the directorate and I stand ready to engage with him and his office. I have written to the Auditor-General to that effect.

I also advised the Auditor-General of our own comprehensive review which will be shared with the Auditor-General once completed, whether or not it is at the same time, or whether or not the Auditor-General has decided to conduct an audit into the scheme. For the benefit of the Assembly, I will table that correspondence. I present the following paper:

ChooseCBR independent review—Correspondence to the ACT Auditor-General, from the Minister for Business and Better Regulation, dated 22 June 2021.

I do agree that there are lessons to be learnt and there are questions to be answered. The approach that we are taking, as detailed in the amendment, ensures that this will be achieved, and in a timely manner, without having to rely on an organisation which cannot be directed but which may well choose to conduct an audit. I commend the amendment that has been circulated in my name. I move:

Omit all words after “scheme” first occurring and substitute:

“has resulted in over $5.1 million being spent in Canberra small businesses;

(2) further notes:

(a) 797 businesses redeemed at least one voucher;

619 businesses redeemed 10 or more vouchers;

267 businesses redeemed 50 or more vouchers;

133 businesses redeemed 100 or more vouchers; and

19 businesses redeemed 500 or more vouchers;

(b) the top six business types for voucher redemption were food retailing; cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services; recreational goods retailing; pharmaceutical, cosmetic and toiletry goods retailing; clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing; and personal services; and

(3) further notes that the Government will procure an independent and comprehensive review of the ChooseCBR program including:

(a) program design and implementation;

(b) the spread of activity across businesses and consumers;

(c) an evaluation of the stimulus impact to determine if something similar would be appropriate in the event of a further economic downturn;

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