Steven Marshall sacks senior tourism adviser Cecilia Schutz over drink driving charges
The Premier has sacked the Tourism Minister’s chief adviser Cecilia Schutz, who faces drink driving charges following a Tourism SA party.
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Premier Steven Marshall has sacked one of his Government’s most senior advisers following a misconduct investigation – while another top public servant has been fined and convicted.
The Advertiser can reveal Cecilia Schutz, who was Tourism Minister David Ridgway’s chief adviser, has been sacked from her $120,000-a-year position.
Her dismissal comes as former Tourism SA executive Benjamin Tuffnell faced court over the same incident, which followed an official function in the city earlier this year.
Tuffnell, a former Motor Accident Commission boss, has been fined $900 over his drunken and belligerent behaviour toward SA Police, which he himself described as “horrifying”.
The pair’s downfall began on July 17, after both had attended a function at a Rundle St restaurant involving Tourism SA and its advertising company.
On Thursday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Tuffnell dropped Schutz at her car before being spotted on Gawler Place at 11.30pm by police.
Schutz was pulled over at 4.30am the following morning and allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.086, resulting in a six-month licence disqualification.
While she will appear in court next month to face charges, Mr Marshall ordered an investigation into her conduct.
That inquiry, carried out by Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri, covered the events leading up to the drink-driving charge.
It did not include Tuffnell’s conduct because his employment contract was not with Mr Marshall, but directly with Tourism SA.
It is understood Ms Schutz is not receiving any termination payout.
A Government spokesman confirmed her sacking, stating “the staff member’s term of employment concluded on 5th November”.