Taxpayers forked out almost $30,000 for David Barbagallo company funding audit
The cost of an investigation into the awarding of a Government-funded co-investment to an IT company linked to Annastacia Palaszczuk’s right-hand man has finally been made public, although the full report remains secret.
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TAXPAYERS forked out almost $30,000 for auditors to look into the awarding of a Government-funded co-investment to a company part-owned by Annastacia Palaszczuk’s former chief of staff David Barbagallo.
The $27,235 cost of Ernst and Young’s review of the $267,500 Advance Queensland Business Development Fund co-investment awarded to Fortress Capstone – of which Mr Barbagallo is a director and shareholder – was revealed today.
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It was detailed in an updated answer to a question on notice from the LNP to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk tabled today following a complaint from the Opposition.
LNP frontbencher John-Paul Langbroek had written to Speaker Curtis Pitt complaining about the initial answer given by the Premier which did not detail the cost.
The audit report has not been publicly released.
It was handed to the Crime and Corruption Commission in August to help in its assessment of corrupt conduct allegations levelled at Mr Barbagallo over the awarding the co-investment while he was Ms Palaszczuk’s right-hand man.
The co-investment was awarded to Fortress Capstone to develop a smartphone app.
CCC chair Alan MacSporran revealed last month it had further questions as a result of the audit.
“That (audit) report itself raised some issues which we are currently conducting a feasibility preliminary investigation of and then we will decide after that process is complete whether it requires investigation or not,” he said at the time.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington lashed Ms Palaszczuk for not revealing the full cost of the audit when first asked and renewed her call for the audit report to be made public.
“Finally Annastacia Palaszczuk has been forced to come clean and disclose how much taxpayers were slugged for this audit,” she said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk must release the audit today after all taxpayers paid $27,235 for it.”
Mr Barbagallo has denied any wrongdoing and says he declared his interest as required and withdrew his involvement in the application process when he joined the Premier’s office in 2017.
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