WorkSafe hired Daniel Andrews former lawyer while it looked into Premier’s office bully claims

WorkSafe hired Daniel Andrews’ former lawyer while it was investigating claims of bullying from within the Premier’s office.

A former lawyer for Daniel Andrews was hired by WorkSafe while the workplace watchdog was investigating the Premier’s Private Office.

The engagement of Steve Palmer, who quit his role as the Premier’s lawyer last year, has raised concerns about a perceived conflict of interest.

Mr Palmer was hired earlier this year to work directly with a WorkSafe board director to develop and provide advice on initiatives to improve outcomes for injured workers.

WorkSafe said Mr Palmer’s extensive experience in the workers compensation scheme over more than 20 years made him an ideal candidate.

But WorkSafe sources said the appointment had raised concerns because the appointment came as the agency was investigating the Premier’s office over bullying claims.

The Premier’s Private Office was being looked at by WorkSafe over bullying allegations. Picture: David Crosling

WorkSafe launched an investigation into the alleged harassment of former Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela, and subsequent handling of complaints, in February.

It announced earlier this month it had concluded the investigation and would take no further action.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Mr Palmer’s appointment actually created a conflict of interest.

The decision prompted Ms Vaghela to refer the matter to the Victorian Ombudsman because she believed WorkSafe had failed to properly investigate.

Mr Palmer was named in documents provided to WorkSafe by Ms Vaghela as part of its investigation into the Premier’s office.

She said she spoke to Mr Palmer on several occasions regarding bullying she said she was enduring by associates of the Premier.

She said in a conversation with Mr Palmer in May last year, he said he was unable to do anything.

“I spoke to Steve Palmer for help again to stop the bullying behaviour. I explained to him everything. After listening to me he said what’s happening to me is not right but issues regarding staff are not under his control,” she said.

Mr Palmer had provided similar advice in December 2019.

WorkSafe have said they will take no further action over Kaushaliya Vaghela’s claims. Picture: David Caird

“I had a chat with Steve Palmer. I explained to him how I was suffering at the hands of these boys,” she said.

“He understood the legal side of the intervention order part, but he said the staff management was not his role.

“This made it difficult for me to get any help from PPO to remove the root cause of the bullying happening to me, as they were just fixing and correcting the symptoms or issues that were popping up. There wasn’t anything Steve could do to help me other than just having a chat.”

Ms Vaghela said she would refer Mr Palmer to the Victorian Ombudsman for investigation.

“Talk about conflict of interest. Mr Palmer was a key person in the PPO who I engaged with on my issues,” she said.

“I have already written to the Ombudsman who is investigating the politicisation of the public sector. I will now forward this new information to her.”

The appointment has also sparked concerns within the agency.

“Why did WorkSafe think it was appropriate, as an independent regulator investigating the Premier’s Private Office, to contract the former General Counsel from the very office under investigation” one source said.

WorkSafe has refused to say whether the appointment was subject to any public advertisement or tender.

And it has refused to detail how much Mr Palmer was paid.

“WorkSafe is satisfied that there is no conflict of interest in the appointment,” a spokesperson said.

Nick Wakeling, shadow minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, said the appointment raised serious questions.

“How can Victorians be assured WorkSafe will investigate serious cases, such as alleged bullying within the Premier’s private office, when one of Daniel Andrews’ own private lawyers who worked in the same office is on the payroll of WorkSafe,” he said.