QUEENSLAND'S attorney-general wants a parliamentary committee to investigate how the former Labor-aligned Racing Queensland board approved projects, and if anyone should face criminal charges.
A forensic audit by accountancy firm Deloitte, commissioned by the government, found that $150 million worth of contracts were awarded to engineering firm Contour Consulting Engineers without first going to tender, News Limited reports.
About $60 million worth of work was undertaken before the Newman government froze the program, $20 million of which was approved by the Bligh government before the 2012 state election.
Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says the report shows an obscure procurement process.
He'll ask cabinet on Monday to set up an investigation into the board's procurement processes, favouring an open parliamentary committee inquiry.
He'd want the inquiry to have the power to impel witnesses and believes current deputy opposition leader and former racing minister Tim Mulherin and Labor heavyweight and former RQ board member Bill Ludwig should give evidence.
Mr Bleijie wants to know who approved the payments and if it went through cabinet.
"Or did Bill Ludwig get on the phone to his Labor mates and say we need the money and got it approved?" he told AAP.
"If it shows that there is any criminality that has occurred, then we will then have the options to follow through."
Mr Bleijie insists an inquiry isn't throwing good money after bad.
Late last year, former RQ chairman Bob Bentley said everything he and his board did was "above board" and tenders were not called because Contour was a preferred contractor doing specialist work, News Limited reports.
Comment is being sought from Mr Mulherin.
Mr Mulherin says as minister he properly fulfilled all of his responsibilities.
He described the potential inquiry as a diversion, and accused Mr Bleijie of making political and prejudicial comments.
"Every time (the government) is on the ropes it hits the diversion button," he said.
"It shows a government obsessed with fruitless attacks on past governments and with no plans of its own for the state's future."
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