Transport department sets up new communications unit, which will employ resigned minister’s former chief of staff
A leaked memo reveals the state’s transport department will build a new “public affairs” unit to report on infrastructure progress. One of the first members is the former chief of staff of a minister who resigned in last month’s expenses scandal.
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South Australia’s transport department will create a new high level “public affairs” unit,
a leaked internal memo shows.
The unit will be tasked with selling the state’s infrastructure builds and will include the former chief of staff of David Ridgway, who resigned last month amid a travel perk scandal engulfing the government.
In a memo from the Department of Transport and Infrastructure chief executive Tony Braxton-Smith has outlined the new unit arguing it is vital the department “communicate clearly and ensure we keep our customers well informed at all times”.
But the new unit has drawn criticism from Opposition Infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis who said the department should not be employing more highly paid spin doctors, including the former chief of staff of a recently resigned Minister.
Mr Koutsantonis said at least one of the roles could attract a salary of $350,000.
In the memo Mr Braxton-Smith said “there is a keen interest in what we’re doing and are rising expectations about how we communicate and engage in the public domain.”
He said the new unit will work directly with him to “transform the way that the department manages its public affairs.”
A spokesman for the department said employee numbers were still to be determined.
“We will undertake a review to identify areas for better practice, and in consultation with our employees determine any organisational changes and adjustments to the employee establishment numbers,” he said.
The Memo also reveals former Liberal Minister David Ridgway’s chief of staff Andrew Ockenden – who lost his job when his boss resigned two weeks ago following revelations he signed blank time sheets for his former driver – has got a role in the new public affairs team.
Opposition Infrastructure spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said the memo raised a number of serious concerns.
“What we need is more project delivery not more project spinning,” he said.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is establishing a network of highly paid spin doctors to try and sell the message that his Government is not building anything but jobs for the boys.
“We need to be building infrastructure to create thousands of real jobs to tackle the nation’s highest unemployment, not creating jobs for out-of-work Liberal mates.”
The Advertiser asked if the new role filled by Mr Ockenden, had been advertised.
A department spokesman said he was employed “on a short term South Australian Executive Service contract … so we can make an immediate start on this important work.”
He said Mr Ockenden had a wealth of relevant experience after communications and engagement for Australia’s biggest infrastructure program, the WestConnex motorway in Sydney.
“All new senior roles will be advertised in due course as appropriate.”
The State Government came under fire over the weekend after new tenders showed a decision on tunnels for the final stage of the North-South corridor – the state’s most expensive ever road project – had been delayed.