Childcare worker charged with more than 70 offences including sexual assault
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ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Auditor-General's report casts 'significant doubt' on Shire of Coolgardie's viability
An outback shire unfairly dismissed two staff, used restricted funds to cover shortfalls and improperly employed a man working remotely from a Carribean island, Western Australia's government watchdog has found. Those are just some of the issues identified by a comprehensive audit of the Shire of Coolgardie by the office of WA's Auditor-General, casting significant doubt on the small council's future. The audit found that a former employee who questioned former chief executive James Trail about whether he was manipulating the council's tender processes was one of two people involved in unfair dismissal claims that were settled by the shire for a combined $150,000. The audit, which covers the 2023-24 financial year, also alleges the council's purchasing policies were not followed in regard to a $1-million housing project. It also revealed that a charter airline that sued for $214,203 had no formal agreement with the council. The audit confirmed the shire was in dire financial straits months before Mr Trail was suspended on November 14, which eventually led to his resignation on April 17. The shire's chief financial officer was also suspended on November 6. An investigation by external consultants is ongoing. The audit revealed that a senior project officer employed by the Shire of Coolgardie from October 2023 to October 2024 was working remotely from the Caribbean island of Montserrat. The audit found the recruitment was directly undertaken by the ex-chief executive, bypassing the shire's recruitment and selection policy. The staff member, who was not named, was also in breach of a 417 working holiday visa. "We inquired but did not receive a response from shire management on how the staff member performed their duties efficiently while being in a different jurisdiction with a 12-hour time difference from Perth," the audit stated. "Additionally, we noted that the staff member is currently working for the government of Montserrat. The audit stated that the employment contract was terminated on October 2, 2024, but the laptop provided to the staff member had not been recovered. The audit was publicly released by the shire this week after being referenced in state parliament by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, who declared "shocking mismanagement" had left the council in a "financial mess". The audit – certified by the Auditor-General's senior director of financial audit Tim Sanya – showed the shire incurred a net loss of $4.6 million for the 12 months to June 30, 2024. It found the council's liabilities exceeded its asset base by $14.2m and that there was $4.8m in overdue payments to vendors. "These conditions indicate a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the shire to continue as a going concern," the audit said. The audit prompted Ms Beazley to hold a meeting on Monday with Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent and the Shire of Coolgardie about a potential merger with the neighbouring City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. "It was a really productive meeting … the beginning of those discussions," Ms Beazley told the ABC, using the term "boundary adjustment" rather than "amalgamation". Coolgardie Shire President Malcolm Cullen said the minister's ultimatum came too close to this year's council elections. "The three-week time-frame for these discussions provided by the minister does not allow time for genuine and open negotiations," Mr Cullen said in a statement. "Such a decision deserves careful consideration and should not be made at a time of transition." In a statement, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder said Mayor Glenn Wilson and chief executive Andrew Brien would brief councillors on the meeting's outcomes on Wednesday. It declined to comment further. Three modular houses built by the Shire of Coolgardie in Kambalda also raised red flags. The units were constructed for government regional officer housing (GROH) amid Kambalda's struggle to attract police and teachers. The audit found the shire did not undertake any tender process, which was in breach of its purchase policy applied to contracts in excess of $250,000. A $1m loan from the Commonwealth Bank was obtained in the 2022-23 financial year for the works, but the funds were not used for the purpose they were obtained for, the audit stated. As of June 30, 2024 invoices totalling $965,151 were overdue to Modular Proprietary Limited for the construction of the houses. The audit also found there was no formal agreement between the shire and Casair Proprietary Limited, which operated private charter flights into Kambalda. Casair filed a writ last year for $214,203 for incorrect fees and charges. In February shire councillors unanimously agreed to make repayments at a rate of $6.60 per passenger over the next 12 months in order to ensure both parties regained "trust and a working relationship". In the long-delayed 2023-24 annual report, which was released alongside the audit, Mr Cullen noted the "less-than-desirable closing balance". He agreed "wholeheartedly with community sentiment that these results are extremely disappointing".
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Victorian premier announces reforms to childcare sector in wake of sexual abuse allegations
The Victorian government will fast-track reforms to the childcare sector after a worker in Melbourne's south-east was charged with more than 70 offences including sexual assault. Premier Jacinta Allan said her government would create a register of childcare workers "as soon as possible" to provide families with "an extra layer of check and balances". The government will also move to ban personal devices from childcare centres from September 26. It has also commissioned an urgent review focused on immediate actions, which will be completed in about six weeks.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Teenager accused of murdering Vyleen White in Redbank Plains expected to enter plea this month
The teenager accused of killing 70-year-old Ipswich woman Vyleen White is expected to enter a plea later this month, a court has heard. Ms White suffered a fatal stab wound at a shopping centre car park in Redbank Plains, south-west of Brisbane, in February last year. It is alleged the then 16-year-old, who cannot be named under Queensland's youth justice laws, stabbed her before stealing her car. The now 17-year-old was committed to stand trial in March on several charges including murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. On Wednesday, those charges were presented in the Supreme Court in Brisbane. The teen was not required to appear during the indictment, but the court heard he would be present for an arraignment. This was set down for about three weeks' time, where he will be asked to formally enter a plea. He was remanded in custody until his matter returns to court.
