Speaking up quelled by ‘a dark culture’

A former senior media advisor to the Palaszczuk government has alleged he was forced out of his job after raising concerns about ‘unethical, immoral and at times potentially illegal behaviour’.

Neil Doorley in 2019 AAP Image/Richard Gosling

A former senior media adviser to the Palaszczuk government has alleged he was forced out of his job after raising concerns about “unethical, immoral and at times potentially illegal behaviour”.

Neil Doorley, who worked for four cabinet ministers between 2015 and 2018, has backed calls for a commission of inquiry into political interference with watchdog bodies, alleging a “dark culture” that discourages public servants from speaking out.

The veteran Nine Network reporter, who later worked for News Corp, sued the state for compensation over his dismissal by the Premier’s office in 2019, believing his penchant for speaking up on alleged bad behaviour cost him his job.

The state government is understood to have settled the case in 2020 and awarded Mr Doorley compensation.

Before being sacked, he challenged, among other things, the use of ministerial resources that he believed at times were “outside the scope of official duties”.

After putting some concerns in writing, Mr Doorley was told his emails were not “helpful”.

He says several ministerial staff decided to leave quietly rather than commit “career suicide” by complaining.

Premier Annastacia Palas­zczuk continues to resist calls for a commission of ­inquiry into integrity after the heads of two Queensland statutory bodies alleged interference in their offices. Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov tendered her resignation last week while former state archivist Mike Summerell revealed he was pushed out of his job by the government last March.

Both have backed calls for an inquiry.

Dr Stepanov, who has made a formal complaint of alleged interference in her office, at the weekend took to her LinkedIn page to encourage people to “continue to be brave” and speak openly.

In a separate development, Crime and Corruption Commission chair Alan MacSporran also quit last week after a bipartisan parliamentary committee gave a scathing assessment of his organisation’s performance.

Ms Palaszczuk said her cabinet would on Monday consider launching an inquiry into the structure and powers of the CCC, but indicated it did not plan to extend the scope more widely.

“Queensland has robust mechanisms and checks on integrity and accountability in this state,” she said.

“We have the CCC, which is a standing royal commission.”

She said a routine five-year review into the Office of the Integrity Commissioner was finished last year and is being examined by a parliamentary committee.

Concerns about interference raised by Dr Stepanov and Mr Summerell are being considered by the CCC and Ms Palaszczuk said she could not comment ­further.

She said despite integrity concerns raised this week, public servants should be comfortable coming forward with complaints.

“We should have a public service that can give fearless, frank advice. I have always had that opinion,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Mr Doorley said he was “buoyed” after Ms Palaszczuk implored public servants with complaints about her government to come forward, as “the dark arts practised behind closed doors continue in ministerial ­offices”. “The concept of acting in the public good at all times as a guiding principle has been seemingly long lost.”

“I’m more than happy to help the Premier “do better” when it comes to her government’s track record with integrity and accountability,” he said.

“I’ve no doubt my offer will be quickly dismissed – unlike the growing push for her to make this government responsible for its actions and the consequences of those actions – a fundamental part of healthy moral practices and making sure there’s a clear line between what’s right and wrong.”

Mr Doorley - who worked for Ministers Steven Miles, Mick de Brenni, Leeanne Enoch and Craig Crawford - said he was weighed down by the guilt of failing to make a formal complaint.

“I just had no confidence it would go anywhere,” he said.

His concerns echoed those raised by Mr Summerall last week who alleged he was pushed out of his job because of his stance on integrity and independence.

“For many senior public servants in Queensland the concept of an impartial, apolitical and professional public service is career suicide,” Mr Summerall said.

Dr Stepanov, who will continue in her role until July, made complaints to the CCC last year after officers from the Public Service Commission went to her office and seized a laptop without her knowledge.

She had earlier made requests to the PSC and the Department of Premier and Cabinet for a forensic examination of the laptop, which she suspected had highly sensitive material transferred onto it during the 2020 state election.

In her social media post, Dr Stepanov said integrity in the public sector was achieved through” robust public discourse”.

“Part of the obligation and responsibility that comes with independent roles like mine is the need to be frank and fearless, at all times,” she wrote.

“The public expects no less; nor should they.”

Dr Stepanov said media reporting on integrity issues had created a public ‘space’, for issues and strengths in governance and public administration to be raised and more discussed openly.

“We change by learning about how we can do things better, in the public interest. When we don’t square up and face things head on, we miss our chance to bring about meaningful change.”

“Let’s continue to be brave and to have those conversations.”