Construction, Industry and Training Board chief executive officer Marie Paterson quits following spending controversies
Days after the Government ordered a review into the spending of a construction board, its chief executive has stepped down.
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The boss of an embattled State Government board has suddenly resigned in the wake of a series of spending controversies that have engulfed the organisation.
In a new blow for the Construction, Industry and Training Board, its more than $200,000-a-year chief executive officer Marie Paterson quit this week for personal reasons.
Ms Paterson, a highly regarded industry figure, quit just days after the Government ordered auditors to review the board’s lavish spending.
Sources claimed her resignation came amid a partial board revolt after some current members expressed concerns, in a series of emergency meetings, about its leadership.
The Advertiser this month revealed how the board spent almost $47,000 on an anniversary dinner for 110 people in October 2018.
This week, it emerged the entire 13-member board, and some spouses, flew to Queensland on a business trip in March 2018, at a cost of at least $10,000.
An interim chief executive will be appointed shortly while there is a recruitment drive for a permanent boss.
Sources suggested some current board members were keen to replace Ms Paterson.
Ms Paterson, who joined the organisation in May 2017 from the Civil Contractors Federation, did not return calls yesterday.
But in a statement issued by the organisation, she said she quit with immediate effect “to move interstate to be closer to family”.
She is believed to have negotiated an undisclosed payout. Staff and industry groups were told of her decision yesterday.
“During my leadership, the CITB has built its research capability, providing evidence-based outcomes for training skills development, and significantly increased its industry engagement,” she said.
“I have ensured funding levels for employers of apprentices have been maintained and significantly increased the number of apprentices supported.”
Board chairman Peter Kennedy refused to answer questions about when Ms Paterson’s contract expired or any financial settlement. But in a statement, he praised her “very active” work.
Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni, who last week requested the audit of the board’s expenditure, thanked Ms Paterson for her service. He said recruitment of a new chief executive officer was a matter for the board.
Opposition spokeswoman Clare Scriven hoped Mr Pisoni did not seek to influence the board’s choice for a new chief executive and it would be made on merit.