Unnamed ministerial adviser investigated over 'large sums of money' in bank account, SA ICAC says
South Australia's ombudsman is looking into potential misconduct and maladministration linked to the government's delivery of a one-million-dollar business grant. The state's anti-corruption commissioner has described the payment as "uncommon" in one of five reports published as she prepares to leave the role.
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00:00Just weeks before the 2022 state election, Labor used a clothing company as a backdrop
00:07to announce a new manufacturing fund.
00:09That'll be allocated towards local manufacturing right here in South Australia.
00:15Once in office, the outfit received a $1 million taxpayer grant, except it got the cash by
00:20mistake.
00:21There was an error that took place that the ICAC's investigation was able to identify
00:26that we've been able to respond to rather quickly.
00:28The government says the funds were at first identified as an election commitment, but
00:32says no promise was made.
00:34Peter Malinowskis says his cabinet made that clear to the responsible government department.
00:40What we've been able to do is establish that there was a gap in the process between the
00:45communication of cabinet decisions to relevant agencies.
00:48The clothing maker was later independently assessed for the grant and has kept the money.
00:53Outgoing ICAC boss Anne Vanstone picked up the issue in her evaluation of government
00:58grants.
00:59She hasn't suggested the practice was corrupt, but she has confirmed the ombudsman is inquiring
01:04and has not formed a view on whether there's been misconduct or maladministration.
01:09The fact that ICAC have raised this and that a $1 million grant has been awarded because
01:14of a clerical administrative error seriously makes us question what exactly is happening
01:21in cabinet from this government.
01:22It's unfortunate that there was a lack of adequate communication of that cabinet decision
01:28to the relevant agency.
01:29In a separate report, Commissioner Vanstone also warned ministerial staff are at risk
01:34of corruption.
01:35In one case it investigated an advisor who received large sums of money into a bank account
01:40but ultimately found there was no illegal activity.
01:44She's made six recommendations and the Premier says some of them have merit.