Fox taskforce all clear
TASMANIA’S fox eradication program has been cleared of any misconduct following a year-long investigation.
Tasmania’s corruption watchdog yesterday issued its findings into the $40 million program, which was axed in 2014 after more than a decade in operation.
The Integrity Commission found: NO direct evidence of fabri- cation or falsification of evidence by any employee of either the Fox Free Taskforce or its successor, the Fox Eradication Program. NO evidence any employee of either program knowingly relied on false information to support continuation of the program. NO evidence to suggest the then-minister for primary industries, water and environment and the minister for police and emergency man- agement David Llewellyn had a conflict of interest while holding the dual portfolios.
“The investigation identified that while there were administrative and management issues, they were not indicative of misconduct,” the statement said.
“The original taskforce began in a challenging environment and struggled with public credibility, and was subject to criticism fuelled by scientific and professional scepticism, concerns about public expenditure and a lack of accurate public knowledge of events as they occurred.”
Other issues included internal program scepticism about evidence, with employees frustrated by the waste of time and resources in following up false information and a resulting reluctance to publicly release details of hoaxes because of concerns about copycat potential. Employees identified a poor workplace culture in the early stages, linked to the rapid program start-up and difficulties in recruiting necessary technical, investigative or professional expertise.
The commission said the transition of managers and staff through the program led to difficulties in implementing change, inconsistencies, internal conflicts and concerns that operational procedures — particularly relating to collection of fox scat evidence — were not adequately addressed. The commission’s board has referred the report to the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment for action.
The department welcomed the findings and said it would review the report in detail to “assist in identifying further improvements”. The board made no recommendations but emphasised “the need to ensure that such programs are better managed in the future”.