Former Renewal SA chief executive John Hanlon dumped from role as contract expires

A senior public servant in charge of hundreds of millions of dollars in developments has left the post, after mysteriously and suddenly going on leave for 10 months.

• Top bureaucrats suddenly vanish from posts

A senior public service executive who oversaw taxpayer-backed building developments has left the post, after mysteriously and suddenly going on leave for 10 months.

Transport Minister Stephan Knoll on Tuesday told Budget Estimates that former Renewal SA chief executive John Hanlon’s contract had expired on July 20 and was not renewed.

Mr Knoll would not tell Parliament if Mr Hanlon was paid while on leave.

Former Renewal SA chief executive John Hanlon

Mr Hanlon, and Renewal SA general manager Georgina Vasilevski, both went on sudden leave last September.

Mr Knoll made a short opening statement to Parliament, ahead of the Estimates hearing organised to discuss Renewal SA’s finances and funding.

“The Marshall Liberal Government has an ambitious growth agenda for SA and Renewal SA make an important contribution to delivering that growth through urban regeneration,” Mr Knoll said.

“The departure of chair Bronwyn Pike after seven years on the board provides an opportunity for refreshed leadership, and with it a new strategic direction.

“Renewal SA is set to take that new direction under the incoming chair, Con Tragakis.

“John Hanlon’s term of employment as chief executive of Renewal SA expired on the 20th of July 2019 and wasn’t renewed. Mark Devine will act as chief executive until a permanent appointment is made. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Bronwyn, all the outgoing members of the board, and John for their contribution.”

Mr Knoll repeatedly declined to answer a series of questions during subsequent interrogation about the nature of Mr Hanlon’s departure and payment during his extended leave, and referred the Opposition back to his opening statement.

Mr Koutsantonis said the public had a right to know if Mr Hanlon had received payments from the taxpayer while “at home” and on leave.

“I have to say, I can understand the minister’s cautiousness over other matters in and around Mr Hanlon’s absence,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“I’m not asking him about those matters.

“I’m asking him whether or not Mr Hanlon was being paid while on leave.

“I, for the life of me, cannot understand why the minister just will not give us a matter of fact answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.”

The Advertiser is unable to report other aspects of today’s proceedings in State Parliament for legal reasons.

Former deputy premier and planning minister John Rau appointed Mr Hanlon to the role in July 2014. Mr Hanlon was previously the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure deputy chief executive.

Mr Rau at the time said Mr Hanlon was “widely known and respected in the industry” and had a “wealth of experience in the public service”.

Mr Hanlon replaced former thinker in residence Fred Hansen, who was sacked in 2014.

Renewal SA oversees the management of Government land and building projects including the Lot Fourteen site redevelopment, Riverbank and Festival Plaza.

It also has a central role in residential developments at Bowden and Port Adelaide, as well as managing rollout of a hi-tech business hub on the old Mitsubishi site at Tonsley Park.