Shitsu_Tonka
23rd Jun 2006, 21:01
No. 09 / 06
23 June 2006
Solomon Islands: payments to officials
Airservices Australia welcomes the announcement of an Australian National Audit Office
enquiry into the administration of the airspace management contract between Airservices
Australia and the Solomon Islands Government.
Airservices provides upper-level airspace management for the Solomon Islands Government.
Under the contract, Airservices collects fees from all airlines flying through Solomon Islands
airspace.
In 2003, an internal investigation within Airservices found that between 1998 and 2003 contract
payments totalling $2.2 million had been made to third parties, at the direction of senior
Solomon Islands officials. These payments involved fees collected from international airlines
and these payments were immediately stopped. No taxpayers’ funds were involved.
A subsequent Australian Federal Police investigation in 2005 did not identify any information or
activity that constituted an offence.
Airservices Chief Executive Officer Mr Greg Russell said today: “With the benefit of hindsight it
would have been better if the payments had not been made, but they were authorised at the
time by senior Solomon Islands Government officials.”
“It is clear Airservices internal processes at the time were inadequate. However, I am satisfied
that our corporate governance procedures have been significantly improved, and we would
welcome any suggestions for further improvement from the Audit Office.”
Media Enquiries: 02 6257 2828
http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/media/press_releases/PR_060623.pdf
23 June 2006
Solomon Islands: payments to officials
Airservices Australia welcomes the announcement of an Australian National Audit Office
enquiry into the administration of the airspace management contract between Airservices
Australia and the Solomon Islands Government.
Airservices provides upper-level airspace management for the Solomon Islands Government.
Under the contract, Airservices collects fees from all airlines flying through Solomon Islands
airspace.
In 2003, an internal investigation within Airservices found that between 1998 and 2003 contract
payments totalling $2.2 million had been made to third parties, at the direction of senior
Solomon Islands officials. These payments involved fees collected from international airlines
and these payments were immediately stopped. No taxpayers’ funds were involved.
A subsequent Australian Federal Police investigation in 2005 did not identify any information or
activity that constituted an offence.
Airservices Chief Executive Officer Mr Greg Russell said today: “With the benefit of hindsight it
would have been better if the payments had not been made, but they were authorised at the
time by senior Solomon Islands Government officials.”
“It is clear Airservices internal processes at the time were inadequate. However, I am satisfied
that our corporate governance procedures have been significantly improved, and we would
welcome any suggestions for further improvement from the Audit Office.”
Media Enquiries: 02 6257 2828
http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/media/press_releases/PR_060623.pdf