ICAC findings on $12m Darwin Turf Club grandstand show need for more transparency

The long anticipated findings from the ICAC report into the $12m grandstand revealed some very strong findings regarding how taxpayer money came to be granted to the Darwin Turf Club.

The $12m Darwin Turf Club grandstand, which is the subject of a new report from the ICAC. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE long anticipated findings from the ICAC report into the $12m grandstand revealed some very strong findings regarding how taxpayer money came to be granted to the Darwin Turf Club.

The findings refer to a lack of transparency in which the funds were obtained by the turf club.

The grandstand itself has been a great addition to the turf club and could play a part in making the Darwin Cup a bigger tourism event going into the future.

It was a great sight to see the grandstand packed with revellers in Darwin Cup Day last year and the economic boost it provided for hospitality workers through functions held in the venue all year round.

However, the scrutiny around the awarding of such a large sum of money should have been stronger, according to ICAC.

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And as a community standard the report sets the level of expectation going forward for anyone wanting to secure a government grant.

That is the minimum that the community should expect from those in the public service or public office.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s comments calling for the turf club board to resign is also another indication of how sporting club boards should approach similar situations going forward.

If there are lessons learned from this investigation it is that being open and honest is the best policy.

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