Former MAC boss Ben John Tuffnell quits Tourism Commission role after being charged with drink driving, assaulting police
The former boss of the Motor Accident Commission has stood down from his six-figure salary job with the Tourism Commission as he faces charges of drink driving and assaulting police.
Law and Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law and Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ex-MAC boss charged with drink driving, assaulting police
- Inquiry after second senior public servant charged with drink driving
- Make the most of your Advertiser digital subscription
The former head of the Motor Accident Commission has resigned from his six-figure salary job with the Tourism Commission as he faces charges of drink-driving and assaulting two police officers.
Benjamin John Tuffnell stepped down from his role as executive director of corporate affairs at the South Australian Tourism Commission effective October 4, less than two months after his first court appearance.
His resignation comes as Premier Steven Marshall considers a reported into the conduct of another public servant booked for drink driving the same night — Tourism Minister David Ridgway’s chief adviser Cecilia Schutz, who picked Mr Tuffnell up from police custody.
Tuffnell, 47, has yet to plead to one count of driving with excess blood alcohol and two counts of assaulting police stemming from an incident on July 17.
A Tourism Commission spokeswoman said the resignation was a “personal matter” for Tuffnell.
“The SATC will assess the structure going forward,” she said.
Tuffnell was pulled over just before 11.45pm in Gawler Place in the city after police received reports that a man was believed to be driving under the influence through the city.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard in August that Tuffnell allegedly had a blood-alcohol level of .097, almost twice the legal limit.
Police will allege that Tuffnell also refused to comply with an officer’s direction to leave his vehicle and then resisted and kicked a police officer.
Court documents revealed that the victims of the alleged assault were a constable and probationary constable.
The incident sent ripples through the public service after Ms Schutz was charged with drink driving hours after Tuffnell’s arrest — after she picked him up from police custody.
She was stopped by police at 4.30am on July 18 on Flinders St in the city.
When she was breath tested she allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading .086.
She lost her licence on the spot for six months, had her car impounded for 28 days and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri investigated the events leading up to Ms Schutz being charged with drink driving.
Ms Schutz’s future is now in the hands of Mr Marshall who is considering the report.
Both incidents followed a function on Rundle St celebrating the first anniversary of advertising company TBWA winning a lucrative Tourism SA contract.
Tuffnell, a certified accountant, led the Motor Accident Commission’s push to improve road safety as their general manager of corporate affairs from 2007.
In 2014, he became the principal economic adviser to then-treasurer Tom Koutsantonis.