Senate debates investigations into government spending

Moves to give the auditor-general greater powers to follow government spending are being debated in the Senate.

The debate surrounds independent MP Rob Oakeshott’s private member’s bill which would allow investigations into how federal money was spent by the states and territories, such as the school halls programme and into the performance of contractors. 

Senator Mathias Cormann told the chamber many small and medium size businesses may choose to avoid government contracts because of the risk of audits.

Only the biggest companies with the resources available to comply with an investigation would be likely to tender for contracts.

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