Public Sector Employment chief launches inquiry into conduct of two senior tourism public servants charged with drink driving
The Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has launched an inquiry into the conduct of two senior public servants who have landed in court after a major tourism function.
- Former MAC boss charged with drink driving, assaulting police
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A top-level investigation has been launched into the circumstances in which two senior public servants have landed themselves in court following a major tourism function.
Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri will examine the events that resulted in Tourism SA executive Ben Tuffnell and a key government adviser being charged with a range of offences.
In a twist in the controversy, The Advertiser can reveal Tourism Minister David Ridgway’s chief adviser Cecilia Alice Schutz was charged with drink driving just hours after Tuffnell’s arrest — after picking him up from police custody.
Tuffnell, Tourism SA’s current corporate affairs director and a former Motor Accident Commission executive, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last Friday on charges of drink driving and assaulting police.
The 46-year-old has yet to plead to one count of driving with excess blood alcohol, two counts of assaulting police, one count of resisting arrest and failing to comply with an officer’s request to leave his vehicle.
His alleged offending occurred just before 11.45pm on July 17 in Gawler Place in the city after police received information that a man was believed to be driving under the influence of alcohol through the city.
It is alleged that after being pulled over, Tuffnell refused to accompany patrols for a breath analysis and was then arrested. During the arrest he allegedly resisted and kicked a police officer. When breath-tested he allegedly recorded a reading of 0.097.
While Schutz, 36, of Kingston Park, played no part in the alleged assault, she became entangled in the controversy a few hours later when she drove Tuffnell from the City Watchhouse following his release from police custody.
At 4.30am on July 18, Schutz was pulled over in Flinders St and when breath-tested allegedly blew 0.086. She lost her licence on the spot for six months and her car was impounded for 28 days. She will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court soon.
The two incidents followed a function on the evening of July 17 that both attended at a Rundle St eatery celebrating the first anniversary of advertising company TBWA winning the lucrative Tourism SA contract.
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Schutz was apparently representing Mr Ridgway at the function because he was in London at the time. She has been an adviser to Mr Ridgway since 2006.
Tuffnell — who previously spruiked the dangers of drink driving when he worked at the MAC — is understood to be on leave but Schutz was this week still on the job on SA’s far west coast.
While Mr Ridgway’s office declined to answer questions from The Advertiser, a spokesperson revealed the matter had been referred to Ms Ranieri.
“The Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has been directed to conduct an investigation into this matter,” the spokesperson said.
It is likely Ms Ranieri’s investigation will determine the future of Tuffnell’s employment contract and if any disciplinary action is taken against Schutz, should either be convicted of any offences.