TasTAFE card use a ‘cultural issue’

AN explosive Integrity Commission report into senior TasTAFE officers has also identified widespread misuse of Tasmanian Government Cards and suggested the behaviour was a “cultural issue”.

According to the report, tabled in State Parliament on Tuesday, several instances of corporate credit card misuse were identified.

The report recommended that Tasmanian Government Card usage be included in a review of TasTAFE policies and procedures for officers employed in the senior executive service.

TasTAFE deputy chief executive Lori Hocking was found to have wrongly spent about $800 on entertainment expenses on her Tasmanian Government Card between October 2015 and May 2016, including $242 at Maldini Cafe and Restaurant and cab fares related to a job interview interstate. The report said the card was used to pay for petrol twice, during intrastate family trips.

“Ms Hocking stated at interview that there was a regular practice within TasTAFE of using the TGC for entertainment purchases,” the report said. “... material identified in the course of the investigation tends to support Ms Hocking’s evidence that the practice of making entertainment purchases was a regular occurrence.”

The report said policies on use of the cards were readily available to TasTAFE staff and found it was “more probable that this behaviour evidences a cultural issue”.

University of Tasmania corporate governance expert Tom Baxter said the Integrity Commission report was disturbing.

“Its findings that Ms Hocking misused her Tasmanian Government Card, while less costly than other breaches, sound a warning to others,” Dr Baxter said.

“The report shows the need to adequately fund the commission, the important role of whistleblowers, and the need for better induction procedures.”

A Government spokeswoman said an independent audit of TasTAFE recruitment and procurement would include a review of Government corporate credit card usage.

Ms Hocking is on paid personal leave, and was contacted for comment.

The report also detailed allegations of favouritism in TasTAFE.

Chief executive Stephen Conway resigned on Monday.

Among claims were that he gave Ms Hocking preferential treatment, including pay rises of $55,000 in the first year and an “incentive payment scheme” worth about $30,000 in extra benefits.