10 Jul 2017

Investigation of Auditor-General concludes

3:02 pm on 10 July 2017

An inquiry into whether the Auditor-General Martin Matthews is fit to keep his job has concluded, and has been given two weeks to respond to its findings.

Auditor General Martin Matthews.

Auditor General Martin Matthews. Photo: RNZ

The investigation was launched in May after weeks of reports into a fraud at the Transport Ministry while Mr Matthews was in charge.

The fraudster, Joanne Harrison, stole nearly $750,000 despite staff repeatedly raising concerns with Mr Matthews about her.

Mr Matthews has defended his handling of the case but stood down while the investigation was carried out.

Parliament Speaker David Carter told RNZ that the Parliamentary committee which ordered the inquiry had received the report but he would not discuss its findings.

The State Services Commission is holding a separate inquiry into whether Harrison was able to restructure whistleblowers out of the Transport Ministry.

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