Covid relief: NMC grants one-time ‘mercy attempt’ to eligible MBBS students

An investigation by the Integrity Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has uncovered a cover-up by senior Victorian public servants involving billions of dollars in Covid-19 business support payments. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) report reveals that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, now the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, failed to disclose the true extent of the losses, which were estimated to be up to $285 million.

During the pandemic, the government spent an estimated $257 million on support grants to 9,000 ineligible businesses. The whistleblowers who reported the misconduct have been commended for their bravery in exposing the failures of senior public officials. IBAC commissioner Victoria Elliott emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the public sector, stating that the revelations should serve as a lesson for other organizations.