Public servants directed not to attend Labor Party seniors’ forum following concerns over misuse of government resources

Public servants have been directed not to attend a seniors’ forum hosted by the Labor Party in Dunstan after the government conceded it was inappropriate.

Public servants have been directed not to attend a seniors’ forum hosted by the Labor Party in Dunstan after concerns were raised about misuse of government resources.

In invitations sent to Dunstan residents, speakers and stallholders at the March 14 forum were to include SA Police and the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), as well as SA Health’s Office for Ageing Well.

An invitation to the forum that was to include government agencies such as SA Police and SA Ambulance Service. Picture: Supplied

The invitation sign-off was from Premier Peter Malinauskas but it was authorised by SA Labor Party state director Aemon Bourke.

Opposition government accountability spokeswoman Michelle Lensink raised concerns with SAAS ahead of the by-election to be held for the seat of Dunstan on March 23.

A response sent by a senior adviser to Mr Malinauskas accepted that “if government agencies attended this forum they could be criticised by some in the community as being impartial”.

“Given the upcoming by-election in Dunstan and in an abundance of caution to avoid any accusations of bias or impartiality, the Premier has directed me to advise all state government agencies who were considering or who have agreed to attend the forum to no longer attend,” the response said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Ben Clark

Opposition government accountability spokeswoman Michelle Lensink. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

Non-government attendees, as named on the invitation, include Cancer Council SA, the Stroke Foundation and Dementia Australia.

Ms Lensink called the event an “inappropriate use of government and taxpayer resources to benefit the Labor Party”.

A government spokesman said: “It’s disappointing that Michelle Lensink would see public engagement staff in agencies like SAAS and SAPOL connecting in genuine conversation with older South Australians as a waste of resources”.

Originally published as Public servants directed not to attend Labor Party seniors’ forum following concerns over misuse of government resources