Transport Minister Corey Wingard accused of falsifying timesheets, denies allegations

Transport Minister Corey Wingard has strongly denied accusations in state parliament of falsifying timesheets and “physical intimidation”.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard has been accused in state parliament of falsifying timesheets for his sister-in-law when she worked in his electorate office.

The opposition on Tuesday also grilled Mr Wingard as to whether he had been accused by a member of his electorate office staff of “physical intimidation”.

Labor claimed Mr Wingard had undertaken mediation through Treasury, which handles electorate matters, “regarding his conduct”.

In response, Mr Wingard told parliament his “wife’s brother’s wife” had previously worked in his electorate office and he and his office manager signed timesheets for workers.

But he stressed that “all hours of all people that have worked as my staff are accounted for”.

Regarding the physical intimidation claim, Mr Wingard later told The Advertiser he “always put the health and wellbeing of all my staff first and seek to ensure a safe and productive work environment”.

“A former staff member from my electorate office raised with me health concerns she was experiencing and, as appropriate, I engaged the Department of Treasury and Finance as her employer,” he said. “I have never physically intimidated anyone ...”

Premier Steven Marshall said he would make inquiries with Treasurer Rob Lucas, who is ultimately responsible for electorate office matters, about the physical intimidation accusation.

Mr Marshall also highlighted recent allegations against Labor MPs Jayne Stinson, Tony Piccolo and Katrine Hildyard about their behaviour towards staff.

In question time, opposition government accountability spokesman Tom Koutsantonis asked

Transport Minister Corey Wingard has denied wrongdoing in his electorate office Picture: Kelly Barnes

Mr Wingard if any of his electorate staff had ever alleged to him that his sister-in-law’s timesheets included hours she had not worked.

No accusation of wrongdoing was made against Mr Wingard’s sister-in-law.

Mr Koutsantonis later addressed parliament, saying Mr Wingard had been accused of “bullying and intimidating. ... (and) falsifying timesheets”.

It comes as an investigation into bullying allegations levelled against Mr Wingard and a staffer by Sport SA boss Leah Cassidy continues.

The Advertiser reported in July that Ms Cassidy had accused Mr Wingard of bullying and intimidation.

The allegations were referred to the Public Sector Commissioner who subsequently appointed an independent investigator to look into the matter and report back.

In August, Mr Wingard launched legal action against Ms Cassidy.

High-profile barrister Greg Griffin, who is acting for Wingard, served Ms Cassidy with a Concerns Notice – a prelude to formal defamation action if a settlement is not reached.

Mr Wingard was seeking an unreserved apology, legal costs and $5000 in compensation from Ms Cassidy, which he planned to donate to a children’s charity.