An independent investigation has been launched into whistleblower allegations about safety and training practices at the Canberra Institute of Technology’s Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence.

The investigation, confirmed by CIT Board chair Thomas Rogers during Budget Estimates hearings, will examine allegations raised by independent MLA Thomas Emerson in May, the CIT chief executive Dr Margot McNeill’s public denial of the claims, and how the complaint was handled internally.

Mr Rogers said the findings would be made public.

Mr Emerson welcomed the investigation, saying it came more than six months after the whistleblower first raised concerns with the Dr McNeill. He said the board’s decision suggested concerns about how the allegations had been handled and called it “a welcome first step” towards rebuilding public confidence.

During the hearings, Mr Rogers also confirmed electric vehicle training had taken place in a CIT car park that was not an approved training area and took on notice questions about vehicles used for interstate training before dedicated EV training vehicles arrived in May.

The allegations, raised under parliamentary privilege in May, claimed unqualified students had been trained on privately hired electric vehicles and that the vehicles were returned without the hire companies being informed. Dr McNeill has previously denied the allegations.

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