Released 25/07/2017
The ACT Government has agreed to all seven recommendations made by the Auditor General’s report into Certain Land Development Agency acquisitions.
In implementing its response the government will continue a comprehensive review of legislation, policies and procedures relating to land acquisitions already underway.
The LDA has already made significant progress in response to the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report and to those from a parallel review commissioned from former Commonwealth Auditor General, Ian McPhee AO PSM, of its governance arrangements.
The government is also working towards implementation of our election commitment to establish a new urban renewal authority.
From 1 July 2017 the LDA will be replaced with two new entities – one to focus the transformation of Civic and the Northbourne Avenue corridor and one dedicated to developing vibrant new suburbs.
The creation of these entities is an opportunity to apply best practice across the board and make sure the findings of this report are reflected in their establishment.
The scrutiny provided by the Auditor General is important to ensuring public confidence and trust in the work of the government and its agencies.
Reforms already implemented in response to the two reports include:
- clearer policy direction to staff on compliance with the Land Acquisition Policy Framework
- improving and expanding processes for managing conflicts of interest for the board and staff
- strengthening accountability to the board through attendance by LDA and relevant Economic Development Executive Directors at both the Board Audit and Risk Committee and board meetings
- training sessions for staff on managing freedom of information requests, instructing valuers, procurement processes, fraud and ethics, record management and financial delegations
- a new governance function in the LDA to support implementation of the report recommendations.
Further work is underway to keep improving current practices and strengthen organisational governance and transparency moving towards the transition to the two new entities from July 2017.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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