Dan Andrews government dumps budget integrity officer Anthony Close
Shock as integrity officer who wrote report criticizing Daniel Andrews government is dumped: ‘It’s another blow to integrity’
- Victorian independent budget reviewer abolished
- Anthony Close said to clear the desk by Sunday
A decision to oust an official independent auditor who wrote a report criticizing Daniel Andrews’ government has been described as “another blow to integrity.”
Parliament budget officer Anthony Close has been told to clear his desk before Sunday as the state government decides not to renew his contract for another two years despite a parliamentary recommendation.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has rejected the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee’s request for Mr Close to remain on the appeal he could only be reappointed for four years, the Announce sun reports.
In 2021, Mr Close accused the Andrews government of hiding the true financial affairs of the state from Victorians in a report.
Parliament budget officer Anthony Close has been told to clear his desk by Sunday, with the state government deciding not to extend his contract for another two years despite a parliamentary recommendation.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Davis told Daily Mail Australia the abolition sent a chilling message to anyone speaking out against the government.
“Another day and another blow to integrity in Victoria under the Andrews administration,” he said.
“By firing a highly respected and independent integrity officer, the government has shown that it will do everything it can to silence its critics.
“The Prime Minister must explain why he shrank from Mr Close’s position just months after he exposed serious financial mismanagement in the government.”
The Herald Sun quoted an unnamed source as saying the move to get rid of Mr Close was ‘a political blow’ to someone who has ‘proven an eyesore’.
“Government action in this regard will alert all heads of integrity services that they are not safe in their role,” the source said.
When Mr. Pallas founded the PBO in 2016, he said it would be a valuable asset in promoting transparency.
“An effective and independent PBO supports an open and democratic government that strengthens public debate throughout the legislature and levels the playing field with regard to financial expertise,” said Pallas.
The move to abolish Mr Close comes just a month before Mr Pallas prepares to deliver the state budget, which reportedly features drastic cuts in an effort to rein in the state’s soaring debt.
Victorian Prime Minister Dan Andrews has come under fire after his government decided to abolish Mr Close
The promised $8-14 billion rail link from Melbourne’s CBD to the main station has already been unveiled Tullamarine Airport has been shut down due to the sea of red ink, with debt exceeding $100 million for the first time in state history.
Work on the Geelong Fast Rail project has also been suspended and community health programs have been told funding will be cut by up to 15 percent.
The state, which has racked up debt greater than NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined, had to pay $1.8 billion in interest in the last half of 2022 alone and the crippling amount was expected to reach $165.9 billion by 2025 .
Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Andrews and Mr Pallas for comment.