Inquiry launched into how conflicts of interest dealt with during fast-track approval project decision-making

The Auditor-General has launched an inquiry into how conflicts of interest were identified and managed as ministers made decisions about what infrastructure projects should be included in the controversial fast-track approval legislation . Earlier this month, the Government revealed the 149 projects that would be eligible for fast-tracked approval when the legislation is passed through Parliament. These included roads, mines, housing development, renewable energy sites and other infrastructure projects.

While expert panels will have the final sign-off on what projects get swift approval, it was up to ministers to decide what projects were listed in the legislation in the first place. They based their decisions on advice from an independent advisory group and all 149 projects that were eventually chosen by ministers were recommended by that group. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop at the time said ministers followed a “really thorough and robust process” informed by the Cabinet Office with regards to managing potential conflicts of interest.



This included ministers transferring responsibility to another if they had a potential conflict. Controller and Auditor-General John Ryan’s office on Thursday said an inquiry would be carried out into the systems and processes that help ministers identify and manage conflicts of interest, with a particular focus on minister’s decisions about which projects to include in the Bill..