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Cost of report tops $1m

Commission of Inquiry: Fiona Luck, chairman and former Court of Appeal Judge Sir Anthony Evans, John Barritt and Kumi Bradshaw (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

More than $1 million is expected to have been spent on establishing and running the Commission of Inquiry, according to financial data included in its report this week.

The Commission’s budget is expected to total $1,068,121 when everything has been paid for and will include $292,270 on direct expenses for the four-strong panel.

As of February 27 this year, just over $920,000 had been spent on the Commission, while a further $147,950 in estimated “costs and payables” was still outstanding. Chairman Sir Anthony Evans’s personal air fares, accommodation and other fees are expected to reach over $112,000 when the expenditure budget is finalised.

Meanwhile, the total fees for the three other commissioners; John Barritt, Fiona Luck and Kumi Bradshaw, are expected to reach $180,000.

The Commission was appointed in February 2016 to investigate concerns raised by the Auditor-General over the handling of taxpayers’ money for the financial years ending March 31 in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

It began work on April 1 and held three public hearings in June, September and November over 14 days of evidence and submissions.

The total costs of legal fees for the Commission reached just over $600,000 according to its budget breakdown.

The itemised financial expenditure for the Commission included $2,700 on food and water, $3,300 on office supplies and nearly $3,400 on printing.

Audio and transcription services cost nearly $38,000 and marketing and communication services totalled $16,000.

The rental of the St Theresa’s Church Hall on Laffan Street cost $16,800, while the price of providing security for the hearings totalled $17,000.

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