Confused about the right blinds for your home?
Councils warned about corruption Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire, neighbouring Frankston and municipalities across the state have been warned to watch out for corruption when buying goods and services. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) says corruption and kickbacks uncovered at Darebin and Ballarat councils “are likely to be faced by most, if not all, councils in Victoria”. “Allegations of corruption associated with council procurement practices and processes are a recurring theme in the complaints received and investigated by IBAC,” IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich QC said. In a special report to parliament IBAC warns that councils need to consider the way they manage procurement to reduce risks of corruption. “This report highlights a range of procurement-related corruption risks and vulnerabilities which, while they were found in two councils, are likely to be faced by most if not all councils in Victoria,” Mr Redlich said. IBAC investigated allegations that council employees at Darebin and Ballarat subverted procurement processes for their own benefit and the benefit of associates. The report to parliament states that a former project manager at the Darebin City Council received cash, gifts and other benefits for help-
ing an associate’s company win more than $16 million in contracts. A former manager at the City of Ballarat Council had enabled associates and family to win contracts, in exchange for financial “kickbacks”. In 2017, the manager was convicted of a range of offences and sentenced to three years’ jail and ordered to repay $31,200. Three other people, including his wife, pleaded guilty to other charges. IBAC says Victorian councils collectively manage about $84 billion in public assets and annually spend around $7 billion on services. “Considerable power is vested in council employees to source suppliers, manage contracts and authorise payment for goods, services and works – spending millions of dollars of public money,” Mr Redlich said. “Public sector corruption it is not a victimless crime. It wastes taxes and rates that should be used to operate and maintain Victoria's schools, hospitals, roads and other vital public services and projects. And it damages the reputation of organisations and undermines community's confidence in the public sector.” As a result of its investigations IBAC has recommended Local Government Victoria consider developing a code of conduct for local government suppliers, which would outline the standards expected of suppliers including in relation to reporting suspected misconduct or corrupt conduct on the part of council employees and other suppliers.
You need to see Jaleigh Blinds
CALL
1300 ALL BLINDS
BUY DIRECT & SAVE! If you're after Roller Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Roman Blinds, Venetians, Sunscreen Blinds, Verticals, Awnings, Curtains or Panel Glide Blinds and Vision Shade Zebra Blinds Jaleigh have the range and colour to suit your home. Verticles, Venetians, Romans, Panel Blinds & much more, are locally made in our own factory.
Building? Bring in your house plans for a FREE estimate.
Great deals on house lots
Call for a FREE measure & quote. SCARLETT and Poppy reading at Frankston Library. Picture: Supplied
Early morning stories A SATURDAY morning storytime session is set to be launched at Frankston libraries in a bid to get more young kids reading. Tammy Goodwin, Frankston City libraries manager, said “the introduction of Saturday morning storytime allows working families the opportunity to foster a love of reading and learning in their little ones before they start school.” “Kids love story time and for so many years working parents and carers have had to miss out on this quality time together. We’re looking forward to the dancing, singing, storytelling and craft on a Saturday morning bringing plenty of laughter and family fun into Frankston Library, as it does during the week,” she said. “Australian research has found that children
who are read to six or seven times a week have a literacy level almost a year ahead of children who are not read to at home and are more likely to learn more when they start school. “Make sure you’re following Frankston City Libraries on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to find out the special theme for our Saturday morning storytime. Your child is encouraged to dress up in the theme of the week.” The storytime sessions will run every second Saturday at Frankston Library, starting on 19 October at 10am. The theme of the first session is unicorns. The sessions are designed for kids up to fiveyears-old. More information at library.frankston. vic.gov.au
est 1997
50 Hartnett Drive, Seaford (Opposite Vic Roads) 9782 4142
19 Treloar Lane, Pakenham
(Opposite Pakenham Central) 5940 3866
www.jaleighblinds.com.au Frankston Times
15 October 2019
PAGE 5