A damning audit has exposed serious financial mismanagement at Douglas Shire Council, revealing the local government paid a former employee triple their original salary when they returned as a contractor.
Audit Uncovers Alarming Payment Discrepancies
The comprehensive review, conducted by the council's internal audit team, found that the former staff member received approximately $300,000 for contract work that spanned just over a year. This staggering amount contrasts sharply with their previous annual salary of around $100,000 when employed directly by the council.
Council CEO Scott Mason confirmed the audit findings, stating the investigation uncovered multiple procurement policy breaches. The contract was awarded without following proper tender processes, raising serious questions about governance and financial oversight within the northern Queensland local government authority.
Multiple Procurement Breaches Identified
The audit examination revealed several concerning aspects of the contracting arrangement. According to the findings, no formal tender process was conducted before engaging the former employee, and the contract value significantly exceeded thresholds that would normally require competitive quoting.
Scott Mason acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, telling local media that the council had failed to follow its own procurement policies. He emphasized that the internal audit team identified these issues as part of their routine review processes, demonstrating that the council's oversight mechanisms were functioning, even if the initial procurement procedures were not.
The audit findings have prompted immediate action from council management. New controls and additional training for staff involved in procurement processes are being implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
Local residents and ratepayers have expressed concern about the financial management revelations. The disclosure comes at a time when many Queensland councils are facing budgetary pressures and increasing demands for services.
Council officials have committed to full transparency throughout the remediation process. The audit committee and full council will receive detailed briefings on the findings and the corrective actions being taken.
The $300,000 contractor payment represents a significant expenditure for the regional council, which serves communities including Mossman, Port Douglas, and surrounding areas. The audit has sparked broader discussions about contractor management and procurement practices across local government in Queensland.
Council leadership has assured the community that all appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken regarding the procurement breaches, though specific details about personnel consequences have not been publicly disclosed due to privacy considerations.
