School Governance

Allegations of $2.1m Fraud at NSW School

Written by CompliSpace | Oct 17, 2013 1:00:00 PM

The Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne has order an urgent financial audit of the Sydney Muslim School Bellfield College amid allegations of serious financial mismanagement of up to $2.1 million, according to The Australian.

The former Principal of Bellfield College, Sam Cannavo, who has since resigned and formally lodged a complaint with police, alleging $2.1 million was stolen from the school. He alleged a senior school official faked millions of dollars worth in building invoices for work never done at the school.

The college received $4.1 million in grants from the NSW and Federal governments last year as it was eligible for the highest levels of government assistance available to independent schools.

Despite the Association of Independent Schools, the NSW Department of Education and the Commonwealth Department of Education being notified in July of these issues, no investigation had been ordered until now.

NSW Greens MP John Kaye said: “Taxpayer funds are poured into schools with few questions asked and little opportunity to ensure that they money is being spent in the public interest.”