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The Guardian - AU

National

Luke Henriques-Gomes Social affairs and inequality editor

Public servants accused in Senate estimates of misleading parliament over $1.7m contract for welfare research

Guardian Australia Department of Social Services BCG Katy Gallagher

Department of Social Services secretary Ray Griggs at Senate estimates in Canberra — Department of Social Services secretary Ray Griggs has told Senate estimates he is investigating if the contract for welfare research breached commonwealth rules. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Senior public servants have been accused of misleading parliament over a $1.7m contract awarded to a consultancy firm for welfare policy research the government refuses to release.

The secretary of the Department of Social Services, Ray Griggs, speaking to parliament, confirmed on Thursday he was investigating whether the handling of the contract awarded to Boston Consulting Group breached commonwealth procurement rules.

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