Cairns Regional Council chief executive Mica Martin has issued a stern warning to staff after an internal audit uncovered serious procurement breaches involving multiple contracts worth millions of dollars.
The audit revealed what Ms Martin described as "very concerning" practices, including contracts being awarded without proper tender processes and instances where work commenced before official approval was granted.
Audit findings reveal systematic failures
The comprehensive review examined council procurement activities over recent months, identifying several areas where established procedures were bypassed or ignored entirely. Contracts valued at approximately $3.2 million were found to have been awarded without following mandatory tender processes, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the organisation.
In one particularly troubling case, work on a significant infrastructure project began before the contract received formal approval from the appropriate council delegates. This premature commencement not only violated council protocols but also created potential legal and financial risks for the local government authority.
Ms Martin expressed deep concern about the findings, stating that the breaches undermined public trust and the council's commitment to proper governance. "These practices are completely unacceptable and do not align with the standards we expect from our staff," she told council members during a briefing on the audit results.
Disciplinary measures and reform process underway
The council CEO has initiated immediate disciplinary proceedings against staff members involved in the procurement breaches. While specific details about the number of employees facing action remain confidential, Ms Martin confirmed that consequences would range from formal warnings to potential termination of employment, depending on the severity of each individual's involvement.
Beyond individual accountability, the council is implementing sweeping reforms to prevent future occurrences. These measures include enhanced staff training on procurement policies, stricter oversight mechanisms for contract approval, and the introduction of new digital systems designed to flag potential breaches before they occur.
"We are taking this situation extremely seriously," Ms Martin emphasized. "Our community deserves to have confidence that their rates are being spent properly and that all contractors are being given fair opportunity to work with council."
Broader implications for local government transparency
The Cairns audit findings have sparked wider discussions about procurement practices across Queensland's local government sector. The state's corruption watchdog has previously highlighted concerns about tender processes in regional councils, making the Cairns situation particularly significant.
Council opposition councillors have called for greater transparency around the audit process and the specific contracts involved. They argue that ratepayers have a right to know how their money is being spent and which projects were affected by the procurement failures.
The council has committed to providing regular updates on the implementation of new procurement safeguards and the outcomes of disciplinary proceedings. An external review of the council's procurement framework will commence next month, bringing independent scrutiny to bear on the reforms.
As the investigation continues, all council staff have been reminded of their obligations under the local government code of conduct and the serious consequences of failing to adhere to established procurement guidelines.
