Senior staffer accused of unprofessional conduct toward female workers still holds position of power in SA’s courts

Nicknamed ‘Weinstein’ for alleged inappropriate behaviour, a senior courts staffer continues to hold a senior role – despite promises of change in SA’s courts.

A senior courts staffer accused of inappropriate behaviour toward women continues to hold a position of power. Picture: Roger Wyman.

A senior courts staffer continues to induct new workers and determine promotions despite being accused of inappropriate, offensive behaviour toward female sheriff’s officers.

The Advertiser has learned the man – nicknamed “Weinstein” for his alleged actions – has retained his oversight role despite a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s courts.

As recently as this month, he spoke to new employees as part of the induction process and sat on a three-person panel dealing with internal staff movement.

The situation has disappointed and dismayed sheriff’s officers, who say they have been subjected to decades of bullying and harassment by their managers and supervisors.

They had hoped their pleas for change – to Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, Chief Judge Michael Evans and the chief magistrate, Judge Mary-Louise Hribal – had been heard.

They also believed the hiring of a top-level, highly-paid public servant as a “cultural change manager” would lead to reform within the CAA’s ranks.

The parliamentary inquiry’s spokesman, Labor Upper House MLC Justin Hanson, said the Courts Administration Authority appeared to be resistant to change.

“This shows once again that, even when it is alerted to an alleged problem, the CAA fails to act on that alleged problem,” he said.

“The Chief Justice has repeatedly called for more funding for the better training of court sheriff’s officers.

“Even without that funding, someone whose behaviour is in question should not be overseeing new staff until those allegations have been investigated.”

Sheriff’s officers told a parliamentary inquiry they had been bullied and harassed by senior staff. Picture: Roger Wyman.

Last year, a parliamentary inquiry found the Courts Administration Authority’s “inconsistency and lack of accountability” had led to “significant adverse impacts” on officers’ wellbeing.

It had heard evidence including allegations the senior staffer placed his hand down the back of woman’s uniform pants and said “I can do what I want with my subordinates”.

Officers, the inquiry heard, had nicknamed the man “Weinstein” after convicted sex offender and Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Chief Justice Kourakis rebuked the inquiry as “unfair”, but has yet to respond to The Advertiser’s standing request for an interview.

Officers drafted an open letter calling for change and, last month, Attorney-General Vickie Chapman introduced independent human resources oversight into the CAA.

She said the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment would “monitor and report on” the CAA going forward.

On Monday, Mr Hanson called on Ms Chapman to act on that promise.

“That was a recommendation of the inquiry … the Attorney-General needs to immediately bring forward her acceptance of that recommendation,” he said.

“There should be consideration as to whether this senior staffer’s position, and his role within the CAA, needs to be reviewed.”

Ms Chapman said statutory changes needed to bring about the recommendations “are underway”.

“It’s important to note that sheriff’s officers are protected under the Public Service Act,” she said.

“This means that officers are already entitled to the same protections as public service employees, prescribed under Part 7 of the Act.”

The Advertiser has sought comment from the CAA.