Victorian Auditor-General finds agencies breached rules regarding political content

The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office found that three agencies breached legal obligations regarding the use of public resources. These breaches included publishing political content on the Premier of Victoria website, commissioning a survey to rate government performance, and providing content for ministers’ personal social media posts by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority. The Auditor-General also noted that guidance for public sector staff on maintaining political neutrality is limited.

The findings are relevant as Victoria is currently in an election campaign, highlighting issues of political neutrality in government communications. The Auditor-General recommended strengthening guidance for the public service and improving compliance procedures for the Premier’s media centre and ministerial requests.