A corruption investigation involving the bureaucracy of Australia’s federal parliament has expanded, leading to the suspension of several public servants while a significant exit payment to a senior executive is being scrutinised. Reports indicate that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is probing a $315,000 payment made to a senior bureaucrat, as well as the disappearance of corresponding records, with seven officials, including senior and mid-ranking bureaucrats, implicated.
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) was subjected to a raid by the NACC in October 2022, after which its Secretary, Rob Stefanic, was placed on leave and subsequently dismissed on December 17, 2022, due to a loss of trust as confirmed by Senate President Sue Lines. Stefanic had oversight of operations and had shared a personal relationship with Cate Saunders, his deputy, who received the $315,000 retirement incentive after her six-month secondment to Services Australia.
Critics, including Senators Jane Hume and David Pocock, lambasted the DPS for its lack of transparency, dubbing it an organisation shrouded in mystery despite its critical role in supporting parliamentary functions. Pocock noted an alarming frequency of complaints against the DPS, highlighting the gravity of the situation that warranted a national-level investigation.
In response to the situation, the government appointed Jaala Hinchcliffe, a former NACC deputy commissioner, as the new acting DPS secretary. She initiated an independent investigation into the controversial exit payment and its calculations, seeking to understand whether any misconduct was committed by DPS officials. This investigation has led to reforms in record-keeping and the management of conflicts of interest within the department.
Despite the appointed changes and investigations, many senior staff remain on extended leave, creating further uncertainty about the operations within the DPS. The department has stated it would consider releasing a summary of the findings from the independent investigation while also indicating that Saunders’ exit payment has not been repaid.
The ongoing scrutiny of the DPS underscores concerns about the integrity and accountability within the public service structure, with calls for increased transparency to help restore public confidence in the institution that underpins parliamentary democracy.