Australian Border Force boss Roman Quaedvlieg sacked

Roman Quaedvlieg sacked from his $620k a year job over claims he abused his power by helping his partner get work.

Roman Quaedvlieg has been sacked as the head of the Australian Border Force. Picture: Kym Smith

Roman Quaedvlieg has been sacked as commissioner of the Australian Border Force after a lengthy review into misconduct with a younger female staffer found his actions “went beyond an isolated error of judgment” and undermined his ability to do the job.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove today sacked Mr Quaedvlieg on advice from the government.

A statement released today stated Mr Quaedvlieg’s appointment was terminated on three grounds: that there had been “misbehaviour”; that he had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the affirmation he had taken; and that he had failed to disclose details of a personal interest he had to the affairs of the ABF.

“Mr Quaedvlieg acted at particular times to modify policies relevant to the recruitment processes so as to advantage, at least in substantive part, a particular candidate for ABF employment,” the statement said.

“Additionally, he engaged in acts, and made omissions, which materially advantaged that candidate over other comparable candidates for ABF employment, and on that basis his conduct also amounted to misbehaviour and was inconsistent with his affirmation.

“Further, Mr Quaedvlieg engaged in misbehaviour and conduct inconsistent with his affirmation by failing to disclose to the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency, within a reasonable time, a significant change in his personal life, and by making a wilfully or recklessly false statement to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection in relation to the status of his personal relationships.

“Needless to say it is extremely unfortunate that it was necessary to terminate Mr Quaedvlieg’s appointment. He has provided long and conspicuous public service in the critically important areas of law enforcement and national security. However, the relevant conduct went beyond an isolated error of judgment and ultimately undermined his capacity to continue in the office of ABF Commissioner.”

Mr Cosgrove today removed Mr Quaedvlieg from the $619,905-a-year post. It ends one of the most costly and drawn-out misconduct investigations ­involving a senior public servant.

Mr Quaedvlieg took voluntary leave on May 27 last year amid allegations he failed to disclose his relationship with a new partner.

It was also alleged he had abused his position to help the woman get a job scanning passports at Sydney Airport.

In a statement today, Mr Quaedvlieg said he would consider his options following his dismissal.

“I was notified at 2.55pm today of my termination as the ABF Commissioner,” he said.

“I note a statement of grounds that has been tabled in parliament a short time ago relating to this matter. I had not been provided an opportunity to see that statement before it’s tabling however I have consistently maintained my strong denial of those particularised grounds over the lengthy duration of this inquiry, and I continue to maintain those denials.

“I had been given a short opportunity to resign prior to termination however I chose not to do that as it is tantamount to a concession of culpability, which I strenuously deny. I also have previously made a number of observations in relation to the inquiry processes and I intend to pursue these more formally in the relevant forums. I will now take some time to fully consider my options.”

The inquiry into Mr Quaedvlieg’s conduct, which reached its ninth month, has generated mounting public criticism given the high costs associated with keeping one of the country’s most highly paid public servants on ­indefinite leave.

Mr Quaedvlieg has consistently denied allegations of impropriety or wrongdoing and expressed frustration at the time the investigation has taken.

“I’ve been on the record consistently registering my concern about the length of time this ­inquiry has taken and that concern is compounding as the inquiry approaches its nine-month mark,’’ Mr Quaedvlieg told The Australian last month.

“My ­expectation was that the inquiry would only take several weeks.’’

Shayne Neumann, Labor’s spokesman on Immigration and Border Protection, released a statement this afternoon calling for leaks to the media about the inquiry into Mr Quaedvlieg tto be investigated.

“Labor is extremely concerned that details of the highly sensitive investigation into the head of the Australian Border Force leaked to the media on multiple occasions under this inept Turnbull Government,” Mr Neumann said.

“Leaks risk undermining confidence in the investigatory process and breach privacy considerations. It is appropriate that these leaks are fully investigated by the Australian Federal Police and Labor looks forward to the outcomes of any investigations.”