Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

This government will get the recovery and reconstruction right, with checks and balances every step of the way. That is why the Prime Minister has asked John Fahey to chair a reconstruction watchdog reporting directly to the Prime Minister through the national disaster recovery subcommittee. He will be assisted by Martin Albrecht, a former director of Thiess, and Matt Sheerin, who leads the Queensland audit practice of the global accounting firm Deloitte. This watchdog will ensure proper scrutiny, accountability and, most of all, value for money. Through John Fahey we will work to see that every dollar to be spent is effective in the regions that need it. Mr Fahey can inspect and advise on contracts before they are signed. (Time expired)