New SA Premier Steven Marshall sacks top executives in State Government clean-out

FOUR high-paid State Government executives, including SA’s top public servant, have been sacked in a $2 million clean-out Premier Steven Marshall says is critical to driving change.

FOUR high-paid State Government executives, including SA’s top public servant, have been sacked in a $2 million clean-out Premier Steven Marshall says is critical to driving change.

In his first press conference from inside the Government’s Victoria Square headquarters, Mr Marshall also confirmed no personnel changes in his Cabinet to be sworn in tomorrow.

Department of Premier and Cabinet boss Don Russell has been shown the door.

Transport supremo Michael Deegan is also out. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Mr Marshall said Department of Premier and Cabinet boss Don Russell was being shown the door, along with transport supremo Michael Deegan, environment chief Sandy Pitcher and Ingrid Haythorpe, who will go from the top of the Attorney-General’s department.

The combined payout for the four could cost up to $2 million, Mr Marshall said.

Dr Russell has a long Labor pedigree as an adviser to former prime minister Paul Keating. Mr Deegan has served under Labor administrations, including at the federal level.

Public Sector Employment Commissioner Erma Ranieri is acting DPC chief executive.

Premier Steven Marshall addresses the media to announce which top executives have been axed. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Mr Marshall said the payouts were required under conditions included in contracts signed under the former government and he was reviewing processes to stop it happening again. He added that it was possible further changes could still be to come.

“The people of SA have voted for change,” Mr Marshall said. “We have got a very different direction from the previous government.

“I formed an opinion that these changes were necessary. It’s a new government. It’s a new direction.”

“There won’t be any further initial terminations. I will now be meeting with the other chief executives across government in SA. We’ll be talking to them about their ongoing roles. There may be some changes of portfolio or responsibility, but we don’t envisage any other terminations.”

Environment chief Sandy Pitcher has also lost her job.

As has Ingrid Haythorpe, Chief Executive of the Attorney-General's Department.

Mr Marshall was evasive on the reasoning, and would not say the decisions were due to party affiliations. However, he has promised to move away from a politicised public service.

The Liberals have previously been critical of Department for Communities and Social Inclusion chief executive Tony Harrison’s relationship with the Labor Party.

Mr Marshall said he would soon meet with Mr Harrison, a former senior SA police officer, to outline “our agenda for the future”.

He rejected suggestions the Liberals would now elevate friends.

“We will be making some positive announcements in the coming weeks,” he said.

“We didn’t support the previous government’s overt politicisation, where they basically moved away from merit-based assessments on a huge number of very senior appointments.

“We’ll be making an appointment of the best person for the job. We won’t be putting in our mates.”

Mr Marshall said he would be speaking with SA Health chief executive Vickie Kaminski, adding that some senior Government executives who remain employed may have new responsibilities.

Liberal MP Rachel Sanderson, who is in a down to the wire race to hold her seat as counting continues in the electorate of Adelaide, will nonetheless be sworn in as a minister on Thursday.

“There will be no changes to the personnel in the shadow cabinet,” Mr Marshall said.

“We took 14 people to the election, and we are going to have those same 14 people sworn in.

“There will be some minor portfolio changes, but I think people will understand those when they see them.”