Auditor-general to look at light rail costs

The Newcastle Herald, October 12, Ian Kirkwood

AFTER repeated allegations of cost blow-outs, the Audit Office of NSW has agreed to a performance audit of the Newcastle transport reforms.

The Auditor-General’s interest in Newcastle’s light rail and transport interchange has been welcomed by Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi and Labor’s Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Dr Faruqi made public correspondence between herself and the Auditor-General, Margaret Crawford, that showed the audit office had originally planned to audit the Newcastle spending program in 2019-20.

But after Dr Faruqi complained about the timing – saying it was little use doing it after the work was finished –  the scheduling of the audit was brought forward, and is now displayed on the audit office website as taking place in the 2017-18 year.

A description of the audit is described as “pending”.