The Auditor-General's report into the letting of a contract for sexual health services in Wellington has highlighted yet
another failure in the Health Funding Authority's contract procedures, Labour health spokesperson Annette King said
today.
"I asked the Auditor-General to investigate in May, after several of the unsuccessful bidders expressed their deep
concerns with the process that was followed.
"The report, released today, has confirmed that the HFA failed to consult properly and did not treat all the tenderers
equally.
"This latest indictment of the HFA follows similar criticism in the report into the costly refurbishment of the HFA's
own offices. At that time, an assurance was given that future contract processes would follow 'best practice.' That
assurance was a hollow one.
"Prime Minister Jenny Shipley attacked me personally for calling for an audit office inquiry. Now that the
Auditor-General has vindicated my concerns, an apology would be in order.
"Her Government's hands-off approach has allowed the health bureaucracy to spin out of control. Labour will restore
order and accountability," Annette King said.