Graft suspect still paid

JESSICA MARSZALEK A CHILD safety supervisor is on full pay and living in a taxpayer-funded house while being investigated for serious allegations involving corruption and drugs.

The Cairns Post can reveal the man was suspended from his job as a child safety supervisor in the state’s far north in July when serious criminal claims were levelled against him, sparking police and internal investigations.

The claims relate to allegations he bought drugs from a father and his teenage son in exchange for information regarding an impending investigation into the parent and that the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) had also become involved.

The man has since been charged with choking, suffocation and strangulation over an unrelated domestic violence incident and is due to appear in court this month.

The claims follow a tumultuous time for the Child Safety Department, which has faced overhauls stemming from tragic child death cases involving Tiahleigh Palmer and Mason Lee.

A Department of Communities spokeswoman confirmed the staff member was suspended on full pay and was living in subsidised government housing.

“When staff members are suspended on full pay, their situation is reviewed regularly in light of changing circum- stances and the progress of investigations, including any criminal charges,” she said.

The spokeswoman would not comment on the criminal charge that had been laid, but did confirm the department’s ethical standards unit and police were probing serious allegations.

“The department expects the highest standards from its staff and we have robust procedures in place to manage serious matters involving alleged employee misconduct,” she said. “We will continue to work closely with Queensland Police.

“While we cannot comment on individual cases. The department’s ethical standards unit refers cases to the CCC when there is a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct by an employee.”

It is understood police on the ground did not know about the man’s suspension and consequent CCC involvement until he was charged with the DV offence, and Child Safety has not revealed to them what led to the investigation.

Despite the case being the latest in a string of troubling incidents for the embattled department, including accidentally revealing the location of a domestic violence victim last year, new Child Safety Minister Di Farmer declined to comment.

A CCC spokesman also declined to comment, and The Cairns Post attempted to contact the man involved unsuccessfully.