It has recently been reported in regional media and The Age newspaper that allegations had been made that members of the Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Resort Management Board had misused their position and public funds.

In late March 2017, the Victorian Ombudsman released a report into the allegations of improper conduct by officers of the Board.

The report implicated officers of the resort in the misuse of public funds and public resources.

On March 30, it was announced that the Andrews government had accepted the resignation of the Chair of the Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Resort Management Board.

The Minister responsible, Lily D’Ambrosio, said “it’s clear the actions and oversight lapses detailed in this report fall well short of the expected standards”.

According to a media release from the Minister’s office:

Upon receiving the Ombudsman’s report, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio immediately initiated a show cause process to determine if the Chair and the Board should remain in their positions.

The Minister is satisfied that no remaining members of the Board have engaged in improper conduct and that the remaining members will implement all recommendations made by the Ombudsman.

Minister D’Ambrosio has asked the Board to thoroughly review the findings and determine whether the CEO and other employees are fit to continue.

In addition, the Board has been asked to review all leases and other proposals currently under consideration to ensure the board’s recommendations meets all relevant probity and conflict of interest management tests.

The Labor Government is currently considering a new governance model for the Alpine sector and the lessons learned from this review will be considered in shaping the new model.