Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Independent investigation finds no wrongdoing at Indigenous Business Australia

An independent investigation into anonymous allegations of misconduct by two Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) officers has found the accusations were unfounded.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin requested the independent investigation after receiving an anonymous letter in March 2012 that alleged two senior officers at Indigenous Business Australia had breached the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 2007.

The Australian Government is committed to full transparency and accountability, and takes allegations like this very seriously.

Minister Macklin has now received Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s report of their independent investigation of the allegations, which has found the officers acted appropriately, and had not breached the legislation.

The allegations raised in the letter included that Government funding had been inappropriately used for a conference , and that an undeclared conflict of interest had resulted in improper influence over decisions relating to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Cairns.

The Deloitte investigation found no evidence to support these allegations or evidence of breaches of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 2007 by either senior officer.

The Australian Government welcomes these findings.

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