State Archivist offered a contract extension – of three months

The Queensland Government insists it offered a contract extension – of sorts – to the outspoken former state archivist.

The State Government has insisted former state archivist Mike Summerell was offered a contract extension despite it only being for three months.

Mr Summerell, whose tenure in the senior bureaucratic post ended in early 2021, this week broke his silence, revealing he was told his contract would not be extended.

In an explosive statement that took aim at the inner workings of the Labor Government, Mr Summerell wrote that he thought his stance on matters of integrity and the independence of his office were primary factors in his contract not being extended.

His comments came after Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch told Parliament last March that after five years, the position was concluding.

“The state archivist chose to not continue in that he is, as I understand, moving to New Zealand with his family to take up another opportunity,” Ms Enoch said.

Mike Summerell

Leeanne Enoch

In a statement at the time, Ms Enoch said another extension was proposed to Mr Summerell, however she had been advised by her director-general that this hadn’t been accepted as he had chosen to return to New Zealand.

But it is understood that extension was only three months and that there wasn’t a new five-year contract.

It’s also understood Mr Summerell was told in early 2021 that he would not be offered a longer contract as the department wanted to change the role of the state archivist, including downgrading it to a lower pay level.

The three-month extension was floated in order to give the department time to find a replacement.

It is understood Mr Summerell accepted the NZ role after the decision not to renew the five-year contract.

A spokesman for Ms Enoch on Friday said: “As the state archivist has confirmed, he was offered an extension.

“He chose not to accept that offer and took up a role in New Zealand.

“Mr Summerell’s integrity was not an issue.”

Originally published as State Archivist offered a contract extension – of three months