Tom Koutsantonis forced to apologise for bad language, poor behaviour
TREASURER Tom Koutsantonis has been forced to apologise for swearing in the presence of senior public servants during heated meetings over the Gillman land deal, but rejected evidence he’d used “the ‘c’ word”.
TREASURER Tom Koutsantonis has been forced to apologise for swearing in the presence of senior public servants during heated meetings over the Gillman land deal but he rejected evidence from two ICAC witnesses that he’d used “the ‘c’ word”.
Premier Jay Weatherill yesterday publicly admonished the Treasurer, saying his behaviour had fallen “well short” of the standards expected of ministers and labelled it “unprofessional”.
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander made no finding of maladministration against Mr Koutsantonis, nor did he conclude the Treasurer’s aggressive support of the Gillman sale stopped public servants giving frank advice.
However, he heard evidence from Urban Renewal Authority chief operating officer Michael Buchan that Mr Koutsantonis was regularly intimidating and abusive.
Transcripts record Mr Buchan telling the ICAC that it was common for Mr Koutsantonis to use abusive language “in relation to most things”, including phrases like “what the f ... would I employ you for?” and “are you a bunch of useless c ... s or not?”
Mr Buchan told the ICAC Mr Koutsantonis’ behaviour was intimidatory and the pair already had a poor relationship.
“My first meeting with the minister (when he took the urban development portfolio) was something along the lines of, ‘Oh, Christ. I did not know I got you with the agency. If I had known that I would have got the f***ing street ... brooms organised and you could go down on North Terrace and do something useful and sweep the leaves for me’.”
Mr Lander said Mr Koutsantonis “was inclined not to answer direct questions directly” during ICAC testimony, but ultimately found no evidence of maladministration.
“I have decided that his language, however colourful, did not influence the advice given, or not given, by the relevant public officers,” he found.
Mr Lander found that Mr Koutsantonis should have told Cabinet in November, 2013, that the URA board had initially rejected the deal and should have later supplied further documentation.
The ICAC found Mr Buchan guilty of maladministration and that he acted “disrespectfully” toward the URA board.
Mr Koutsantonis yesterday apologised to Parliament and again at a press conference.
He said: “I accept that I used other profanities and that quite frankly is unacceptable ... in a situation where there is a power imbalance. Conversational swearing within meetings may be misinterpreted. For that, I sincerely apologise.”
In fiery Question Time debate Opposition frontbencher Duncan McFetridge was thrown out for calling on Mr Koutsantonis to resign, yelling he was a “bloody disgrace”.
He said changes had been made within the public sector to address criticisms in the report.
Mr Weatherill said he believed he had fallen short of ministerial standards.
“The role of minister carries with it important obligations to behave in a manner which befits high office,” Mr Weatherill said. “I’m disappointed with these findings.
“I have made it clear to Minister Koutsantonis that this behaviour falls well short of the standards that I expect for him as a minister.
“I do expect my ministers and staff to vigorously pursue Government policy.
“But minister Koutsantonis has committed himself to reflect on his conduct, to make a public apology and to take steps to ensure that proper standards are upheld in the future.
“I’m confident that he will reflect on these findings, recommit himself to the obligations of the office of minister and to the standards of conduct that I expect from my Cabinet.”
He said language was used in front of public servants that was “clearly inappropriate”.
“I’m not here to suggest that people don’t swear in the course of any workplace, but it is unprofessional,” he said.
“When you’re a minister, if you use that sort of language especially with public servants who are meant to advise you, it can create an environment which is inappropriate and that’s why I’m insisting on a standard which means this sort of behaviour shouldn’t continue.”
