Revealed: The letters to Ministers responsible for Innovation Fund

Senator Lyndon Farnham should have confirmed, in writing, his decision to delegate responsibility for the Innovation Fund in December 2014, according to the Chief Minister.

Senator Ian Gorst wrote to Senator Farnham to remind his of best practice, following the fallout from the Innovation Fund fiasco. The letters to both him and Senator Alan Maclean have been published following a Freedom of Information request.

The letter also states, Senator Farnham should also have reported that decision to pass on responsibility to the States.

In doing neither, he contributed to the 'period of confusion' around Senator Philip Ozouf's level of responsibility for the Fund.

Senator Alan Maclean was told in his letter that he didn't breach the Code of Practice and he was also kept in the dark about plans to stop paying the Innovation Fund Chair.

The Chief Minister also wrote however, that by agreeing to remunerate the Chair of the Innovation Fund in the first place, it was a clear departure from the terms of reference and done months before the States Assembly agreed.

You can read the letters in full here.