Council
26 May, 2026
Council Passes Fraud Test After Employee Charged
Goulburn Mulwaree Council says an independent audit into its fraud controls has found the organisation’s systems were generally “fit for purpose”, following criminal charges being laid against a former employee.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council says an independent audit into its fraud controls has found the organisation’s systems were generally “fit for purpose”, following criminal charges being laid against a former employee.
General Manager Scott Gallacher presented the findings at last weeks Ordinary Council Meeting after Mayor Nina Dillon asked for an update on the review commissioned earlier this year.
The audit was launched after the NSW Police Financial Crime Squad charged former council employee Tom Dimec with a range of offences relating to alleged financial dishonesty and misconduct in public office. The matter remains before the courts.
According to Mr Gallacher, the independent review examined council processes including invoice processing, payment approvals, fraud monitoring systems, vendor interactions, whistleblower mechanisms and internal oversight controls. Auditors also interviewed staff and reviewed council documentation and procedures.
“Overall, the independent audit found that the Council’s fraud control and management frameworks and practices were generally fit for purpose,” Mr Gallacher said.
He said no areas were assessed as unsatisfactory or requiring major improvement, however the audit did identify several weaknesses and opportunities to strengthen controls.
Among the issues identified was the absence of dedicated fraud-specific staff training beyond existing Code of Conduct and Public Interest Disclosure programs. The audit also found council did not currently have formally documented procedures outlining how internal investigations should be conducted, documented and finalised.
Mr Gallacher said council had accepted all recommendations made by the independent auditors and would work to implement improvements over the next six to 12 months.
The review also highlighted a number of existing controls already in place, including council’s use of EFTsure to independently verify supplier bank account details before payments are processed, maintenance of conflict of interest and fraud registers, and cyber security training delivered with Cyber NSW.
Mr Dimec is facing 41 charges and next appears before court on 22 July.
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Previous stories relevant to this matter are below noting there have been no findings of guilt and not all of the charges relate to Dimec's time at Goulburn Mulwaree.
https://www.thesouthernwire.com.au/dimec-matter-adjourned-as-41-deception-charges-proceed-2026-04-10
https://www.thesouthernwire.com.au/dimec-remains-on-strict-bail-conditions-2026-02-20
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