Reconstruction Inspectorate visits

MEMBERS of the Australian Government Reconstruction Inspectorate visited Gladstone today to have a look at the reconstruction following last year's floods.

Inspectorate Chair, the Hon. John Fahey, and members Martin Albrecht and Matt Sheerin met with Mayor Gail Sellers, councillors and council staff, before touring Gladstone for two hours in the afternoon to see the reconstruction works first hand.

The Inspectorate members were accompanied by the Chair of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Major General Richard Wilson, and its Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Newton.

Gladstone Regional Council has received almost $18.3 million in advance Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) funding to allow repair work to start.

Under the NDRRA, the Australian Government funds 75 per cent of reconstruction costs.

The Inspectorate was established by the Australian Government in February 2011 to provide oversight and accountability measures to ensure Australians receive value for money in the rebuilding of flood and cyclone ravaged regions.

The Inspectorate's role is to ensure value for money for reconstruction projects by inspecting reconstruction sites to ensure they are meeting progress milestones, investigating complaints or issues raised by the public, and examining high-value projects prior to completion.

The Inspectorate comprises former Federal Finance Minister, the Hon John Fahey AC, as Chair; former Managing Director and Chair of Thiess, Martin Albrecht AC; Matt Sheerin, partner with Deloitte Australia; and David Tune PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, and it reports directly to the Prime Minister.

The purpose of the Inspectorate is to:

• work collaboratively with reconstruction agencies to develop and review contractual frameworks, tendering processes and project management systems;
• where necessary, scrutinise requests for reimbursement by local government for completed reconstruction projects;
• where necessary, scrutinise rebuilding contracts and benchmark prices, to ensure value for money through the reconstruction program for Australian residents;
• directly inspect projects, if required, to ensure they are meeting progress milestones;
• examine high value or complex projects prior to execution, including scrutinising relevant contracts before they are signed; and
• respond to and investigate complaints or issues raised by the public, which relate to value for money.
• •The National Disaster Recovery Taskforce in the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport provides secretariat support to the Inspectorate. The Taskforce was established to provide strategic direction and oversight of the Commonwealth recovery effort in the wake of the disasters.

A key role of the Inspectorate is to investigate complaints about reconstruction projects.

Comments or complaints from the public can be made on 1800 080 090 toll-free (charges may apply from mobile or pay phones) or to reconstructioninspectorate@regional.gov.au