IBAC finds 9,000 ineligible businesses received $250m in COVID-19 support grants
Frank and fearless advice is essential to safeguarding limited public funds against fraud and corruption,
An investigation by Victoria's anti-corruption commission has found that more than $250 million in business support grants was paid to 9,000 ineligible Victorian businesses.
The report found senior public servants withheld information from the Victorian government minister overseeing the scheme.
Investigation findings
During the pandemic, billions of dollars in support were paid to businesses as Melbourne endured repeated lockdowns. To qualify, businesses needed to be registered for GST.
A special report by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) found that in 2021-2022, public servants suspected that $285 million may have been paid to businesses that had backdated their GST to qualify for the payments.
Martin Pakula was the minister for industry support and recovery when the grants were offered.
Rather than report the design and application error, three public servants withheld information in briefings to the minister for industry support, Martin Pakula.