Justice Chesterman suggests external recruiting for PMSA vacancies

A HIGH-PROFILE former judge has suggested a sweeping overhaul of the powerful church body behind the fiasco that has engulfed four of Queensland’s most prestigious private schools.

HIGH-profile former judge Richard Chesterman has suggested a sweeping overhaul of the powerful church body behind the fiasco that has engulfed four of Queensland’s most prestigious private schools.

In his three-month inquiry, Justice Chesterman fielded written submissions and held talks with the church-appointed Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association councillors and parent groups at leading Brisbane girls school Somerville House.

His final report suggests the number of PMSA councillors be reduced; their maximum term cut to 10 years; and their positions advertised to encourage suitable candidates for the body which oversees the almost $100 million-a-year business.

In a statement, the moderators of the Uniting and Presbyterian churches did not make public the full report or other recommendations except to say “all parties are deeply committed to working together”.

Beyond PMSA protest, Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

It comes after more than 2000 people signed a petition demanding the disbanding of the entire PMSA Council and hundreds more rallied in the streets and at town hall meetings late last year in outcry over the elite school scandal.

The Courier-Mail exclusively revealed the PMSA cover-up of an IT security breach, covert meetings between PMSA figures in a nude Korean bathhouse and financial irregularities.

Former Somerville House councillor Ian McDonald, who quit the PMSA last year in protest, said: “What I applaud is the recognition of the need for a broadening of the talent in the PMSA Council.”

PMSA chairman, Greg Adsett

The Beyond PMSA spokesman said: “What I was disappointed about was no recognition of the failures in the PMSA Council.’’

PMSA chairman Greg Adsett said they looked forward to implementing governance changes once an Australian Institute of Company Directors’ review was finalised.