Senior public service still on paid suspension 10 months after school corruption probe

A high-ranking Queensland public servant remains suspended on pay 10 months after a corruption probe that cost former deputy premier Jackie Trad her ministerial position.

A senior public servant is still suspended on pay almost 10 months after a corruption probe was launched that cost Jackie Trad her ministerial job.

The Public Service Commission has finally wrapped up its probe into the bungled appointment process of a school principal, but now two senior public servants – independent of the Commission – will decide whether any disciplinary action is needed.

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Education Department deputy director-general Jeff Hunt was stood aside in May last year amid a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation which probed allegations Ms Trad had interfered in the selection process of a principal at Inner City South State Secondary College.

Ms Trad initially stood aside from her ministerial duties before resigning from Cabinet the following day.

Deputy Director General Department of Education Queensland Jeff Hunt. Picture: Jerad Williams

The CCC cleared Ms Trad in July last year but revealed Mr Hunt had concocted a plan to have the former deputy premier test out principal candidate Tracey Cook, without telling Ms Trad or Ms Cook the meeting’s purpose.

A decision to appoint Ms Cook was reversed after bureaucrats, including Mr Hunt, worried Ms Trad had seemed in a bad mood and didn’t appear to like Ms Cook.

The corruption watchdog handed the PSC a confidential report to consider whether any disciplinary action needed to be taken against any of the identified public servants.

The Courier-Mail late last year revealed Q Workplace Solutions had been engaged by the PSC in August to undertake a probe which cost taxpayers upwards of $60,000.

That investigation and a subsequent report have now been completed.

LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan said while due diligence needed to be undertaken, this was an “extraordinary length of time”.

“The length of time now is significant and the resolution of these matters are important for the individuals involved because of natural justice but also for (the) continuing expenditure of taxpayer dollars while people are suspended,” he said.

LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan. Picture David Clark

An Education Department spokesman said the matter was still ongoing by the PSC and it “remains in their hands”.

“Mr Hunt remains suspended on pay,” he said.

“The Department will be making no further comment.”

The PSC will continue to have oversight of the process while the Education Department will have responsibility for implementing any possible actions.