24 Nov 2017

'Action' threatened if DHB spending report not released

11:54 am on 24 November 2017

Waikato DHB member Dave Macpherson has threatened his own board saying if it does not release a report into spending by its former chief executive today he will take "action" himself to make sure it gets out.

Waikato Hospital

Waikato Hospital Photo: Waikato DHB / Facebook

The report into $218,000 worth of spending by Nigel Murray over three years on travel and expenses was due to be released on Wednesday, but was withheld because the DHB said it was a draft and needed more work.

Dr Murray resigned in early October.

Mr Macpherson told Morning Report he had seen the Audit New Zealand report and it contained damning information, outlining a complete lack of processes over spending.

"Who's supposed to be authorising expenses - the fact that expenses were approved without the authorisation signatures of the chair in some cases.

"The fact that the chair had approved some expenses which clearly were private, a whole lot of things like that."

Mr Macpherson said he would take "other actions" himself - including going to the State Services Commission - if the DHB failed to release the report today.

The public had a right to know how taxpayer money was being spent, he said.

Mr Macpherson said the DHB chair Bob Simcock was the one person responsible for overseeing the expenses and absences of the chief executive.

"I have openly said that I have no confidence in the way that he has handled this issue."

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