Legislative Council, 1 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

According to communication in September from TasPorts and employees and as reported in the Advocate Newspaper on 5th October 2023 related to a governance review. This include reference to the cancellation of credit cards and an alcohol related policy.

1. What controls were in place for the use of credit cards by employees;
2. How was employee expenditure monitored and audited;

3. Who was responsible for monitoring the use of credit cards; and
4. What was the basis for the review of the use of alcohol at events and other areas related to TasPorts?

ANSWER:
Q1)
TasPorts has in place a comprehensive credit card procedure and policy which governed the use of credit cards by employees.

Q2)
Employee expenditure is monitored by the Finance Team. Internal and external audits are conducted as part of TasPorts’ governance processes.

Q3)
As above, employee expenditure (including the use of credit cards) is monitored by the Finance Team, but also by individual managers.

Q4)
In September the TasPorts CEO sought to change the company’s policy position on the purchase of alcohol. This decision was taken at the time in response to emerging concerns and as part of the company’s ongoing governance reviews and is keeping with our ambition and commitment to strive for a generative safety culture.

TasPorts is committed to continually reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure not only that they are operationally efficient and legally compliant, but also that they are clear and unambiguous.