EXCLUSIVE: 9News can exclusively reveal that the Queensland Police budget is facing a black hole of $116 million, with senior police told to find ways to save money to fix it.
9News can reveal exclusive leaked emails, and how the police budget has been blown by a new police station.
Queensland Police has signed a lease for $116 million over 15 years to take over the building for a new station in Stones Corner, with an eight-year option to extend it for a total of $240 million.
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In a major error, sources revealed to 9News that “the contract was signed before a funding source was identified”.
The lease has left a giant hole in the police service’s budget, and with no money allocated for the project, senior police are holding meetings to find savings.
A leaked email sent by the police finance team confirms “budget allocations” and “statewide costs are overallocated”.
“An adjustment of 5.6 per cent is required to be applied across all budget allocations to correct the overallocation,” one email read.
The Stones Corner deal was signed before new Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski took over.
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But now an investigation is under way into who signed off on the contract before funding had been allocated.
The leaked email makes it clear the service is committed to “no degradation to frontline services”.
But sources believe that’s not possible without more funding and there’s already pressure to cut down on overtime.
9News can confirm the commercial property owners have also sent legal threats to the Queensland Police for not making payment installments.
Sources say the Crime and Corruption Commission is also investigating, however, the body is refusing to comment on what stage their inquiries are at.
The $116 million blow-out is equivalent to the annual salary of 1325 first-year constables.
A spokesperson from the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) said it “recognises the important role the media plays in promoting transparency and accountability in government and public institutions”.
“The CCC also recognises the need to balance the public’s right to information with the need to protect the integrity of investigations and the privacy of individuals involved,” the spokesperson said.
“On this basis, the CCC does not confirm or comment on any complaint or investigation, referrals to other agencies or matters before the court.”
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