Anti-Corruption Commission will not investigate Tourism Australia expenses scandal

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has confirmed it will not launch a probe into three staff at Tourism Australia who were sacked for charging the organisation for personal travel.

Earlier this month, Tourism Australia Chief Executive Phillipa Harrison revealed she had referred three former staff to the NACC after they were sacked for charging taxpayers for personal travel.

Appearing before Federal Senate estimates, Harrison said the three staff had repaid $137,441 after the incident came to light.

However, she insisted could not provide Parliament with further details of the incident - including the names of those involved - because that could prejudice a potential NACC investigation, with the Commission having provided her with advice to show restraint in her public comments.

Subsequently, the anti-corruption body informed Tourism Australia that it would not be investigating the matter.

In a statement to the ABC, the Commission advised “the Commission can confirm that it has recently decided to take no further action in relation to the referral, on the basis that, prior to the referral, the matter had already been fully investigated, the employees terminated and the funds repaid, so there was nothing that the commission could now usefully add to the process.”

Tourism Australia said it had now asked Police to investigate, and would cooperate with the Senate.

A spokesperson told the ABC “following on from the confirmation that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had decided to take no further action, Tourism Australia has now referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police.

"In addition, Tourism Australia has advised the Senate committee of its intention to withdraw the public interest immunity claim now that the NACC has concluded its consideration of the matter.

"Tourism Australia will respond to the relevant questions as part of the questions on notice process where appropriate."

In response, Shadow Federal Trade and Tourism Minister, Kevin Hogan released a statement calling for details to be release, noting “the minister was made aware that taxpayer dollars had been fraudulently spent by public servants in late 2023.

"There is now no anti-corruption investigation to hide behind.

"We need details about the embezzlement and how it has been handled."

The incident had caused some consternation in the Senate, with the demands for secrecy from the NACC as it considered the referral seen as interfering with the work of parliamentarians scrutinising Tourism Australia's operations.

Earlier, Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell told the Senate committee "I have to say, this is the first time in my experience where a direction from the NACC has directed an official not to make a public statement

"This does present some significant issues which I myself would like to get clarified."

Images: Ruby the Roo, voiced by actor Rose Byrne, is the face of Tourism Australia's current international promotion campaign (top, credit: Tourism Australia) and Tourism Australia Chief Executive Phillipa Harrison (below).