Parks boss staff plea

A TOP-RANKING public servant has issued a plea to workers to defend another top bureaucrat – even if it goes against their personal morals – from what he calls a “targeted campaign to tarnish his reputation”.

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment chief Tim Baker has called on parks staff to rally behind Jason Jacobi, even if they disagree with him.

THE director of the state’s parks service is the victim of a “targeted campaign seeking to tarnish his reputation”, his boss says.

An email calling for public servants to be more loyal has been leaked to the Mercury.

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment chief Tim Baker has called on staff to rally behind Jason Jacobi — even if they disagree with his leadership.

Mr Jacobi has come under fire from conservationists and the Greens for his role in assisting private developers gain access to national parks — in particular at Lake Malbena in the state’s Cental Highlands. In an email to all staff, Mr Baker noted that Mr Jacobi’s actions had been cleared by Integrity Commission investigations, the Supreme Court and planning authorities.

“Unfortunately, and despite being cleared of any wrongdoing or misconduct, the deputy secretary (Jason) has been the subject of a targeted campaign seeking to tarnish his reputation,” Mr Baker wrote.

“I personally know that Jason operated to the highest standards of integrity; he is a man of honesty and humility and works incredibly hard to ensure the best outcomes for the PWS and Department.”

Mr Baker said that it was inevitable some decisions “were not always popular with some sections of the community”.

“Even if at a personal level, you are one of those in the community I refer to above I trust and expect that as a DPIPWE employee you will give Jason your ongoing support,” he said.

“What you may read in the paper is not always the reality and unfortunately the facts can often get lost in the way of a good story.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said Mr Baker was “begging disaffected staff to show loyalty”.

“There are plenty of dedicated state servants in DPIPWE who share deepening community opposition to the Liberals’ expressions of interest process. Tim Baker and Jason Jacobi know it too,” she said.

“Mr Baker’s plea for loyalty towards Mr Jacobi will fall flat with every DPIPWE staff member who joined the agency in order to help look after this island’s public wild lands.”

The Wilderness Society denied being involved in any campaign against Mr Jacobi, but spokesman Tom Allen said the organisation shared “the apparent concerns of people working in the Parks and Wildlife Service about” privatising national parks, excluding users and degrading wilderness.

david.killick@news.com.au