Queensland Premier welcomes Auditor-General's Review

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has welcomed the decision by the Queensland Auditor-General to undertake an immediate audit of the contractual agreements in relation to the A1GP component of this year's SuperGP event.
Premier Bligh said the Auditor-General had advised he will focus on the governance arrangements established to manage the use of State Government funding for the event.
He will also consider any financial implications from the early termination of the agreements between the Gold Coast Motor Events Company and the A1GP.
The Auditor-General's review will complement a separate review to be undertaken by an independent reviewer, who will be announced following today's Cabinet meeting.
As Premier Bligh explained, âthere is no question, people want answers about the events leading up to withdrawal of the A1GP from this year's event.
"The Government invested $11.6 million in the staging of this year's event and taxpayers deserve to know how that contribution was used and managed by the event organisers.
"I am confident the Auditor-General will be able to provide a clear understanding of the use of that funding.
"I'm pleased he will also be considering the effectiveness of the current governance framework, including the roles of the Department of Communities, Gold Coast Events Co Pty Ltd, and Gold Coast Motor Events Co.
"The Auditor-General's considerations will complement the separate review to be undertaken by an independent reviewer who will focus on the specific circumstances leading to the withdrawal of the A1GP and also provide recommendations for the future of the event on the Gold Coast."
Premier Bligh said the Auditor-General is expected to provide his report to the Parliament once complete.
Premier Bligh's Cabinet has also appointed experienced events manager David Williams to undertake a comprehensive independent review of the Gold Coast SuperGP event.
Premier Bligh said Williams will commence the review within the next 24 hours, with a report to be delivered back to government by the end of November.
Williams' independent review will be complemented by the Queensland Auditor-General's audit.
David Williams has more than 35 years experience in the management of major Queensland, national and international tourism and sporting events and was a board member of the original Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix from 1989 to 1996.
The terms of reference for the Williams Review provide:
â¢A short contextual history of the Gold Coast Motorsport Event over the past 19 years, including the cost and economic benefit of staging the Event;
â¢A description of the circumstances surrounding the staging of the 2009 Event and the inclusion of the A1GP and V8 Supercars Australia in the Event program;
â¢An analysis of the circumstances with a focus on governance, due diligence, including the adequacy of contractual oversight and management of the Event, in particular the A1GP sanctioning agreement;
â¢Conclusions and recommendations on the implications for government with regard to governance and due diligence for the future staging of the Event; and
â¢Advice from an event perspective on future options for a motor racing event on the Gold Coast.