Page 4889 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 November 2017
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Nonetheless I feel the need to set the record straight on a number of technical issues which the opposition does not seem to understand in relation to the government’s work in this area. Let us look at how the government has managed this issue. The government took the Auditor-General’s report into certain LDA acquisitions and responded by agreeing to everything that she recommended. The government, led by the Chief Minister, accepted all seven recommendations contained in the Auditor-General’s report.
The opportunities for improved governance were acknowledged and acted upon immediately by the government and the former Land Development Agency. Executive ownership and accountability for governance was embedded through the LDA’s governance executive committee, chaired by the deputy chief executive officer. A dedicated governance function was established to develop and oversee delivery of a comprehensive program for the business as a whole. Centralised core business processes were implemented in relation to valuations, requesting legal advice and records and data management. Training and education sessions were conducted for LDA staff on instructing valuers, fraud prevention and ethics, records management, financial delegations and procurement. Guidance material and working instructions were developed and provided to staff in relation to record keeping, requirements for briefing the LDA board in relation to land acquisitions, the process for amending or seeking advice on the land acquisition policy framework and the use of compulsory acquisition under that framework.
The government has taken opportunities at annual report hearings, estimates hearings and in making ministerial statements to update the Assembly on how the Auditor-General’s recommendations have been addressed. It is a thorough response, initiated by the Chief Minister and now continuing in both our portfolios through the City Renewal Authority and the Suburban Land Agency.
Indeed it was ACT Labor, led by the Chief Minister, which, prior to the 2016 election, committed to the establishment of two new entities that would enable dedicated focus on the significant task of shaping the future of this city within the boundaries of our civic centre and through the expansion of our suburban communities.
This decision was a commitment given to the community and delivered upon through the passage of the City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency Act 2017. The act passed, reflecting the decision by this Assembly as to the soundness of the framework established by the act, including the appointment of independent governing boards that are directly accountable to the relevant responsible minister for the performance of the entity in the pursuit of the government’s expectations and directions. There was specific inclusion of a duty of good conduct which board members owe to the responsible minister in addition to those obligations and responsibilities for board members that arise under the Financial Management Act 1996 and the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
There was the creation of a dedicated office of the chief executive officer for each of the agencies and the authority, ensuring a clear and direct single line of accountability to their respective governing boards. Annual direction setting by the responsible
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