Christian Sanhueza managed planning development for Australia’s
first national sporting and leadership academy for indigenous youth
and the renovation of a historically significant Aboriginal theatre
for almost a year, after resigning from his Fire Brigades job in
early 2007.
He was employed on September 3 last year by the Indigenous Land
Corporation, a statutory authority designed to buy and develop land
for indigenous people. It launched an immediate internal review
yesterday of Mr Sanhueza’s involvement in its projects.
In his previous job, Mr Sanhueza and a colleague are alleged to
have paid themselves $2.5 million out of a $6 million budget for
upgrading fire stations in Berowra, Bourke, Finley, Greenacre and
Scone.
It is alleged Mr Sanhueza set himself up as a builder, awarded
tenders to his own companies, cut corners on the jobs and used the
money left over to pay off his investment properties.
The allegations, mentioned at the Independent Commission Against
Corruption on Monday, have raised concerns about the Redfern
projects – the $35 million National Indigenous Development Centre
and the $8 million Black Theatre.
The general manager of the corporation, David Galvin, last night
said reputable external project management companies had overseen
Mr Sanhueza’s projects. “All variations subsequent to Mr Sanhueza’s
employment had to be approved by an external project manager and
not by
Mr Sanhueza. Consequently, the ILC has no concerns relating to
this project,” Mr Galvin said.
Source: www.smh.com.au/news/national/accused-manager-at-work/2008/08/19/1218911717496.html