Govt secretary told not to tell Comm Games minister event was in jeopardy

Victoria’s top bureaucrat told a departmental secretary not to inform ex-Commonwealth Games Minister Harriet Shing that lawyers had been called in to potentially cancel the event.

Victoria’s top bureaucrat directed a departmental secretary not to inform former Commonwealth Games Legacy Minister Harriet Shing that the 2026 sporting extravaganza was in jeopardy.

Department of Jobs secretary Tim Ada told a parliamentary inquiry on Thursday that he was put in a difficult situation when public service boss, Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) secretary Jeremi Moule, informed him on June 19 that lawyers had been called in to potentially cancel the Games.

But Mr Moule instructed Mr Ada to keep that information secret from Ms Shing, who at the time was tasked with ensuring legacy benefits from the 12-day sporting event.

“I was told very clearly by the secretary of the Department and Premier that that wasn’t something I was allowed to divulge,” Mr Ada told the parliamentary accounts and estimates committee.

Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule instructed Tim Ada not to tell Harriet Shing the Commonwealth Games were in jeopardy. Picture: Chris Eastman

“I was told at the time that Minister Shing would be told ... and that wasn’t something that I was required to do.

“It was put to me (that) a member of the government, presumably the Premier (then Daniel Andrews) or Minister of Commonwealth Delivery (now-Premier Jacinta Allan) at the time (would inform her).”

Mr Ada conceded that he was placed in an awkward position, when asked by committee member Danny O’Brien whether he felt like he had “competing bosses”.

“That’s how I felt at the time,” he responded.

Mr Ada said it is his job to advise ministers about issues within their portfolio areas.

“It’s certainly an approach I take to this role,” he said.

“I also take seriously when the head of the public service talks to me about a matter such as this one.”

Opposition tourism, sport and events spokesman Sam Groth says this raises new questions about what Labor has tried to cover up. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman said: “The Secretary of DPC was advised (and as such told the Secretary of DJSIR) that ministers would be informed by the former premier or his office and that Mr Ada should allow that to occur.”

Opposition tourism, sport and events spokesman Sam Groth said: “Jacinta Allan must explain why a senior public servant needed to keep the engagement of lawyers to cancel the Commonwealth Games a secret from his minister.

“It raises new questions about what Labor has tried to cover up and makes it even more crucial for the Premier to stop hiding and front up to the inquiry and be honest with Victorians about what happened,” he said.

Ms Shing last month told a parliamentary inquiry into the Games fiasco that she was first told the event was at risk of not going ahead on June 22 — more than a week after lawyers were first engaged.

The Victorian government first sought legal advice about pulling the pin on the event from top law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler on June 14, more than one month before the cancellation was made public during a press conference on July 18.

Ms Shing said she was first told that the Games were at risk during a meeting with now Premier Jacinta Allan, who at the time was the minister responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games.