9 Aug 2017

Former PM 'concerned' over departure of Auditor-General

From Nine To Noon, 9:18 am on 9 August 2017

Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer is concerned the parliamentary select committee tasked with investigating the former Auditor-General Martin Matthews failed to go through the constitutional process. Mr Matthews fell on his sword last week after a parliamentary inquiry found it was untenable for him to stay in role - following his handling of a major fraud case when he led the Transport Ministry. The report by the retired public servant Sir Maarten Wevers criticised Mr Matthews' performance as chief executive of the Ministry of Transport while major fraud was being committed there. But hours before it was due to be made public, a parliamentary committee unanimously agreed the report should not be published. Lynn Freeman speaks with former prime minister and constitutional law expert Sir Geoffrey Palmer.