SA Health CEO Chris McGowan refers himself to the Public Sector Employment Commissioner over ‘dormant’ directorship
The CEO of SA Health has referred himself to the Public Sector Employment Commissioner amid calls for him to stand down pending an independent investigation into a private directorship.
SA News
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The boss of South Australia’s largest and most expensive government department has handed himself over to a public sector watchdog over failing to declare an interest.
SA Health CEO Chris McGowan referred himself to the Public Sector Employment Commissioner, Erma Ranieri.
He did so after it emerged he was still registered as director of a Silver Chain Corporate Services while its parent company had a $13 million contract with the State Government.
In a statement, SA Health said an administrative error by Silver Chain led to a delay in changing officeholder details on a non-operational, dormant subsidiary company of Silver Chain.
As soon as Silver Chain identified the administrative error, the directorship details were updated.
“Dr McGowan did not receive a salary or any remuneration from Silver Chain following his resignation as Chief Executive Officer on 4 May 2018,” the statement said.
“Dr McGowan had no involvement in the negotiation or procurement of the SA Community Care Program for non-government organisations, including Silver Chain, in May 2018.
“To ensure transparency and in an abundance of caution, Dr McGowan has asked the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment to review the issue.”
The State Opposition is calling for an independent investigation.
“Dr McGowan must stand aside while the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment investigates this matter,” Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said on Wednesday afternoon.
“But an internal review of this serious matter is not good enough.
“The Premier must immediately launch an independent investigation into Dr McGowan’s directorship of Silver Chain Corporate Services Pty Ltd, and Dr McGowan must stand aside until that investigation is complete.”
A spokesman for Health Minister Stephen Wade said “I understand this has been referred to the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment who will look into it.”
