Ministerial statement

The Tasmanian Government will consider amendments to the Tasmanian Community Fund Act 2005 following a review by the Tasmanian Audit Office in relation to the use of public funds during the Voice referendum.

The use of public funds for political purposes does not meet community expectations and the Government did not endorse, nor approve, this use of these funds.

The TCF is governed by the Tasmanian Community Fund Act 2005 and the Board has sole discretion over how grants are distributed from the Fund to community projects and how the TCF is managed.

The Government and the Tasmanian community expect a high degree of diligence, transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

On this basis, I have requested urgent advice to amend the Act to bring the TCF Board's accountability and governance obligations into line with those of other statutory boards with similar responsibilities for public funds. The Government intends to legislate these amendments by the end of this year.