Former OneCrown administrator Lee Shearer finds she’s been sacked as cemeteries boss during phone call with 2GB

The woman managing Sydney’s cemeteries, Lee Shearer, was replaced without warning. A radio station broke the news to her after the press release went out too early.

Former NSW Police assistant commissioner Lee Shearer found out she was sacked after the press release went out.

The woman formerly charged with managing Sydney’s cemeteries — former OneCrown administrator Lee Shearer — has been replaced without warning only to find out when 2GB reached out for comment.

The former New South Wales assistant police commissioner was hit with the unpleasant news she’d been sacked when Ben Fordham’s 2GB team called, following up a press statement about her replacement from Minister Stephen Kamper.

However, Ms Shearer revealed to 2GB she hadn’t even received a heads up or phone call over her dismissal.

“I had no idea someone else had been appointed I found out this morning, I’ve had no phone calls, from anyone not even the recruitment agency, nobody,” Ms Shearer said.

“What I’m disappointed about is people have often described me as the glue that has kept these places together for two years.”

Shearer was blindsided by the release, only finding out after a call from 2GB.

“I’ve have had incredible outcomes and holding this sector together of previous Government in decision making to just be told via you (Ben Fordham) that I’m replaced.”

“It’s pretty challenging.”

Ms Shearer, a 23-year police veteran will be replaced by Ken Morrison, a position she is willing to step aside for, but believes it’s a bad look for the NSW government.

“Look, the Minister is perfectly entitled to run a process and if someone else is deemed to be more meritorious than me, that’s fair enough,” Ms Shearer told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“But I really don’t think it bodes well for a government with integrity and connection to people.”

“I don’t want to sound like sour grapes, but it’s pretty appalling and if this is what leadership is in this state. Especially if this is what it’s come to. It’s pretty undignified.”

Stephen Kamper apologised to Shearer, admitting the press statement was released earlier then intended.

“I finish on Friday I’ve had no time to speak to my staff who I’ve lead for the last two years as the administrator.”

The Minister for Small Business, Stephen Kamper, spoke to Ben Fordham on Tuesday morning and offered an apology to Shearer, claiming it was a mistake as the press statement was released too early.

“I’ve apologised absolutely, I was planning on calling her today but the press release went out early,” Mr Kamper said.

“The release was meant to go out after I spoke to Lee, and it was just unfortunate its happened this way.

“I don’t shy away from hard conversations. It’s unfortunate. But we have had that conversation now.

“I have an enormous amount of respect for Lee, and I thank her for all the work during that very difficult period.”

The press release which announced Ms Shearer’s departure before she knew of her dismissal thanked Shearer for her service, and outlined why she was being replaced.

“Last week the NSW Government released an audit, which highlighted the dire situation the sector is facing,” it read.

“Today the NSW Government is taking another step forward by announcing the administrator for the amalgamated entity.”

“Ken Morrison was deemed the successful candidate for the role through a merit-based, open selection process supported by executive recruitment firm Meritos.”

“I would like to thank Lee Shearer for her work, she has had led OneCrown through tough times of indecision and has been a fierce advocate for action and a champion for OneCrown’s frontline staff who do an incredible job.”

It’s not the first time Ms Shearer has had issues with Mr Kamper: she claimed in April that she was being unfairly blamed for the last government’s procrastination and that she had inherited the issue about lack of space in cemeteries.

“This [problem] is not of my making,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald at the time.

“Why not just get on with making the decision about the two operator model and get a board in? Why bring another leader into this place that has been beset with uncertainty?”

“Time is of the essence.”