Audit team ... former Commonwealth ombudsman Ron McLeod will lead the inquiry into Zed Seselja's office. Photo: Ashleigh Kennedy
Bushfires Royal Commissioner Ron McLeod will lead the investigation into the office of Canberra Liberals’ Leader Zed Seselja and the activities of his staffer Tio Faulkner.
Mr McLeod, who is also a former Commonwealth Ombudsman, will conduct a full workplace audit of Mr Seselja’s employment practices and probe allegations that he used his staffer, who is also president of the Canberra Liberals, to channel taxpayer’s money directly into the Liberal Party.
The opposition leader has been under growing pressure since The Canberra Times revealed this month that he failed for several years in his legal obligation to account for the attendance of his taxpayer funded staff.
Mr Seselja denies any wrongdoing, and has repeatedly said the matter is about an “unfortunate” administrative failing around time sheets.
Mr McLeod’s appointment was announced by Speaker Shane Rattenbury this morning with the speaker telling the Assembly that the commissioner, who investigated the Canberra bushfires of 2003 as well as the Black Saturday blazes in Victoria, will be assisted by local consultants HBA.
“I have given the appointment careful consideration and am satisfied that the audit team is of the highest standard, will perform their task thoroughly and will deliver a report that provides answers to the questions the Assembly has raised,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“I believe the audit team are strongly equipped to now go and do exactly that.”
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