Fed: Oppn steps up calls for Job Network inquiry

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-1999
Fed: Oppn steps up calls for Job Network inquiry

CANBERRA, Dec 20 AAP - The federal government's handling of its Job Network is under
scrutiny today, with opposition calls for an independent inquiry into allegations of bias
in the tendering process.

Acting opposition employment spokesman Lindsay Tanner said accusations of bias against
the government-funded jobs provider, Employment National should be investigated.

Employment National was a big loser in the second-round Job Network tender, with its
allocation of contracts for the lucrative intensive assistance scheme cut drastically
by the government.

On top of that, it was reported on Saturday that former Employment National board director
Denise Fleming had written to Finance Minister John Fahey to complain about the tender
process.

Dr Fleming reportedly alleged the tender was politically rigged to favour the smaller
job search providers preferred by Employment Services Minister Tony Abbott over large
organisations such as Employment National.

It was also alleged Mr Abbott kept in close phone contact with smaller not-for-profit
jobs providers during the course of the tender process, which closed on July 30.

Mr Tanner called for an independent inquiry into the Employment National issue.

"The government faces serious accusations of bias and interference in the tender process,"

Mr Tanner said.

"It must clear the air to allow these accusations to be publicly tested."

A spokeswoman for Mr Abbott said the tendering process was conducted through the Department
of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business.

"Neither Tony or his office was involved in the tender process," she said.

"The tenders were assessed against the criteria used by the Department.

"As far as probity is concerned, there is no issue."

The allegations followed newly-appointed Employment National chairman Richard Grellman's
resignation on Friday after accusations of a conflict of interest because of his association
with Mission Australia, a subsidiary of which was another participant in the Job Network
tender.

AAP daw/bdm/de

KEYWORD: EMPLOYMENT DAYLEAD

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