Stuart Robert meeting with company before negotiations ‘contrary to probity protocols’, auditor general says

Stuart Robert met staff from the preferred tenderer and ultimate winner of a government contract before negotiations began, the audit office has found. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The former Morrison government minister Stuart Robert met with a preferred tenderer for a home affairs contract before contract negotiations began, “contrary to the probity plan and protocols”, the auditor general has found.

Robert’s meeting with the preferred tenderer for a new system to help streamline visas and security clearances was mentioned in a report tabled to the parliament on Wednesday that made no finding against him.