Audit Reveals Misconduct in Australian Passport Office Contracts

A scathing report uncovers ethical breaches and financial mismanagement within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's passport office.

The Australian National Audit Office found significant ethical failures in the passport office's handling of contracts worth $1.6 billion.
Only 29% of the examined contracts were awarded through a genuinely competitive process, with many predetermined outcomes.
At least 18 officials are under investigation for misconduct, including undeclared conflicts of interest and falsified procurement processes.
A planned conference in Port Douglas was cancelled, costing taxpayers over $100,000 in fees due to non-compliance with procurement policies.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade initially resisted the audit, but has now initiated a broad internal review of its procurement practices.