The release of the ACT Integrity Commission's Operation Kingfisher report has brought truth to a dark chapter in territory politics. After a five-year investigation, the findings prompted Yvette Berry to stand down as deputy chief minister. While the report explicitly cleared Ms Berry of any corrupt behaviour, the details of what occurred within her office demand more in terms of ministerial accountability.

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The commission found two senior officials - Ms Berry's former chief of staff and the former head of the Education Directorate - acted corruptly to manipulate a lucrative government contract. They steered the Campbell Primary School upgrade to a bidder favoured by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union. Lendlease was awarded the contract even though another tenderer, Manteena, offered a better result for less money.

This scandal highlights the undeniably close links between the ACT Labor Party and the local branch of the CFMEU. There appear to be similarities to deeply troubling allegations in Victoria with claims CFMEU involvement in major government projects has reportedly cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Given the blatant manipulation exposed by the Integrity Commission, many argue there is now good cause to re-examine other major contract allocations in the territory. Canberrans have every right to question whether other procurement processes were interfered with to benefit unions and union-aligned companies at the expense of the........

© Canberra Times