DAFF Minister demands report into procurement fraud claims

The Agriculture Minister, Joe Ludwig, has asked his department secretary for a “full report” into recent allegations concerning internal fraud and irregular tendering.

It comes after an internal audit found “high levels of non-compliance” in major contract procurement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

"Since being sworn in as minister in September 2010 I have made it clear to the department that I expect fraud and control measures to be treated with the utmost seriousness,' Ledwig said.

"Any claims about the misuse of taxpayers' funds are taken seriously by this government and investigated fully,” he said.

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