The State Archives and Records Authority of NSW (SARA) will investigate whether the shredding of documents in the Premier’s office was a breach of Section 21 of the State Records Act.
A parliamentary inquiry heard a senior staffer shredded the written records and deleted the electronic files that showed the Premier personally approved the distribution of $141 million in grants from the $252 million Stronger Communities Fund.
More than 95% of the money went to Coalition-held seats before the 2019 State election.
The Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren welcomed the Recordkeeping Assessment by SARA and said the Premier and her office must explain their actions.
“The Upper House inquiry exposed dodgy recordkeeping practices that covered up the manipulation of public funds for political gain.
“Taxpayers’ money should never have been used as a slush fund for the 2019 election. Gladys Berejiklian used public money for political purposes. Then the paper trail was destroyed.”
If there has been a breach of the State Records Act, the Executive Director of SARA could refer the matter to police.
“This is as serious as it gets regarding the misuse of public funds and the abuse of public office,” Mr Warren said.
Above: Jodi McKay MP posts: "The Premier was asked to order her Department to recover deleted files proving her involvement in the Stronger Communities Grants Fund... she refused.
