Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has questioned the independence of the Canberra Institute of Technology, calling for greater ministerial oversight.
According to Mr Emerson, newly obtained board minutes reveal a long-running, “hands-off” culture at CIT. He says this passive approach led to the contracts scandal that resulted in a corruption finding against former CEO Leanne Cover, and is still evident in the controversial hiring of current CEO Dr Margot McNeill.
He said any review of governance, which Skills Minister Michael Pettersson had promised, should not tinker at the edges.
Mr Emerson said the documents suggest the CIT board knew more about the work of Think Garden than was previously let on, and provide further evidence that CIT’s governance arrangements were not fit-for-purpose.
He said it showed again that CIT’s quasi-independence was problematic and needed to be reconsidered.
“We can’t settle for governance ‘reforms’ that amount to tinkering around the edges,” he said.
Mr Emerson called for systemic reform that would significantly increase accountability at CIT, including greater ministerial oversight and parliamentary scrutiny.
Read the article here: https://region.com.au/new-foi-docs-reinforce-failure-of-cit-independence-says-emerson/968013/