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Audit cans AWI contract process
2 Apr 2003
An audit of the contract process managed by the former Australian Wool Innovation administration has revealed that 50 research and marketing projects worth $20 million were funded without formal contracts. It is believed that most of the projects were being undertaken by CSIRO and The Woolmark Company.
AWI chairman Ian McLachlan said also that an unsecured advance of $500,000 was made to a film production company to make a documentary, even though the company hadn't requested an advance. The film is reportedly still being made and will promote the wool industry.
Mr McLachlan said the absence of formal contracts highlighted the corporate government issues with the former board, and said that in future no payments will be made without contracts. AWI has terminated some projects and consultancies already, where it was not clear what their objectives were and if they were judged to be inappropriate.
In future, any project worth more than $500,000 will require board approval. Formerly, projects worth up to $2 million did not require such approval.
Mr McLachlan also announced the appointment of Dr Len Stephens as AWI's new chief executive officer. Dr Stephens has held positions as head of the Victorian Institute of Animal Science and general manager of Meat and Livestock Australia's research programs.
Weekly Times, 2/4/03, page 2.
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