Auditor wants change after Wellcamp quarantine facility
Robyn Wuth |
WHAT THE QUEENSLAND AUDITOR-GENERAL BRENDAN WORRALL’S REPORT HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL WELLCAMP QUARANTINE FACILITY:
THE FACTS
* The Queensland government’s controversial Wellcamp quarantine camp opened in early 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and cost taxpayers more than $220 million in set-up and running costs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
* Expand the definition of reportable contracts to include the purchase and lease of real property
* Update the use and disclosure of confidentiality provisions in government contracts guidelines to provide advice on when information subject to confidentiality provisions can be released
* Develop guidance to assist ministers in answering questions in parliament on matters where relevant information is subject to confidentiality provisions
HOW THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT GOT THERE
March 2020: Two months after pandemic declared, Queensland adopts domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantine measures
January 2021: Cluster of infections at Hotel Grand Chancellor prompts government plan for alternatives to hotel quarantine
June 2021: State request for joint federal funding for Wellcamp rejected
September 2021: Queensland government procures Wellcamp, a month before travel restrictions relaxed
February 2022: Guests move into Wellcamp. Only 730 guests stay at the facility in the 70 days it was used
February 2022: The Liberal National Party demands auditor-general investigation into how much was spent on Wellcamp and if the procurement process delivered the best value for money
August 2022: Queensland’s Wellcamp quarantine hub mothballed before lease expires in April
June 2023: Auditor-General delivers report on Wellcamp procurement, overall cost, the public disclosure of financial information and use of confidentiality provisions
AAP
