The saliva testing debacle continues

Radio NZ reports:

Auditor-General John Ryan has criticised the Health Ministry for failing to deal with potential conflicts of interest in its handling of the $50 million Covid-19 saliva testing contract, which was pushed through without an adequate procurement process.

Ryan said enquiries by his office revealed there was no procurement plan or independent audit before the contract was awarded to the Asia Pacific Healthcare Group in May.

Four of the five panel members indicated potential conflicts of interest, including past and current employment relationships with organisations tendering for the contract.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the Government is about to pass a law allowing it to confiscate the assets of private testing labs.