IBAC finds 9,000 ineligible businesses received $250m in COVID
An investigation by Victoria's anti-corruption commission found that $250 million in COVID-19 business grants were paid to 9,000 ineligible businesses. Public servants withheld information about the errors from the government minister to avoid negative scrutiny.
Why it matters
It highlights significant failures in government oversight and transparency during emergency pandemic spending programs.
Emergency business support grants offered during the COVID-19 lockdowns were subject to an anti-corruption commission investigation. ( ABC News: Simon Tucci )
An investigation by Victoria's anti-corruption commission found more than $250 million in business support grants was paid to 9,000 ineligible Victorian businesses.
The report found senior public servants withheld information from the Victorian government minister overseeing the scheme.
The opposition says the report is more evidence Labor mismanaged taxpayers' money during the pandemic.
Link copied Share Share article More than $250 million in COVID-19 support was paid to 9,000 ineligible Victorian businesses, but senior public servants never reported the payments to the minister, an anti-corruption commission probe has found.
During the pandemic, billions of dollars in support were paid to businesses as Melbourne endured repeated lockdowns. To qualify, businesses needed to be registered for GST.
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