Top public servant in the clear
A SENIOR bureaucrat investigated over nepotism allegations has returned to the Department of Premier and Cabinet, as speculation mounts over who will become the state’s top public servant.
The Mercury revealed in November that a senior DPAC bureaucrat was forced to take leave while the recruitment and promotion of a woman to the department was investigated.
The two were allegedly in a romantic relationship.
DPAC secretary Greg Johannes, the state’s most powerful public servant, quit his post soon after the revelation and concerns raised by the Auditor-General over recruitment processes.
There is no suggestion any of the allegations involved Mr Johannes.
The bureaucrat involved returned to work yesterday after the allegations proved baseless.
“An independent investigation was finalised in December with the DPAC staff member in question exonerated of the allegations made against him,” a government spokeswoman said. “He has been on a period of sick leave. As a result of medical clearance he returned to work this afternoon.”
The allegation came after nepotism had also been raised in Integrity Commission investigations into TasTAFE and the health service.
Mr Johannes was replaced in the $530,000-a-year job by Department of Education secretary Jenny Gale, the first woman to lead the Tasmanian public service in more than a decade, until the position was filled permanently.
The recruitment process has been held up by the Government’s caretaker role dur- ing the election period. “We will settle the team of senior executives that will assist the Government as soon as possible,” Premier Will Hodgman said yesterday.
Speculation is rife in the public service that Mr Hodgman’s departing chief of staff Brad Stansfield is in line for the role.
Contracts for political staffers end at the returning of the writs and the Government has already advertised for policy and media advisers.
Labor will shed several advisers, including former Southern Cross political reporter Alex Johnston, who has resigned.