Surge in dodgy bureaucrats amid record ‘integrity’ inquiries of South Australian public servants

A surge of misconduct and criminal allegations embroiling public servants has sparked a record number of taxpayer-funded inquiries, official figures show.

South Australian government agencies reported 744 investigations into either suspected code of ethics breaches or “criminal offences” over the past financial year. Picture: Brett Hartwig

A surge of misconduct and criminal allegations embroiling public servants has sparked a record number of taxpayer-funded inquiries – dozens of which involved private investigators, official figures show.

State government agencies reported 744 investigations into either suspected code of ethics breaches or “criminal offences” over the past financial year after a tightening of rules, a new report reveals.

The public sector watchdog said almost 100 extra investigations – a nearly 15 per cent spike – were launched last year including two serious cases.

Senior government officials blamed the misconduct spike – almost double than a decade ago – to increased education and an “awareness campaign”.

Government documents show taxpayers funded 15 more private investigators last financial year for misconduct inquiries than were hired in 2022/23.

Specific details on individual breaches, or their employer, are secret but sanctions can range from a reprimand to pay cuts, suspension and sackings.

There are 118,036 public servants in SA after 3301 extra workers were hired last year, or an almost 3 per cent rise, according to the annual State of the Sector report.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment reported last year that:

CRIMINAL offences sparked 64 investigations;

WRONGFUL handling of official information involved 65 inquiries;

UNPROFESSIONAL and discourteous behaviour were behind almost two-thirds of all cases; and

COMBINATIONS of those breaches embroiled 66 public servants.

Almost half of the breaches – or 328 cases – were proven, the report stated. Of those, 32 were sacked while 58 public servants quit. Almost 146 public servants were disciplined and a further 92 were “managed outside formal disciplinary process”. All punishment types were higher than last year.

Nearly 200 investigations are ongoing, the report said.

The report, from the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, Erma Ranieri, revealed two unspecified “public interest disclosures”, alleging bureaucrats breached “their duty to act honestly”.

This can involve abuse of public office, bribery or corruption, threats of reprisals, demanding or requiring a benefit and offences relating to an appointment.

No further details were disclosed while the report does not specify which agencies were involved in any inquiry.

Bullying reports are at record lows, the report said.

Erma Ranieri said she was pleased most public servants. Picture: Supplied

Ms Ranieri defended hiring 53 private investigators, compared to 38 last year.

“An external investigator may be used when a matter requires specialist investigation skills or an additional level of independence,” she said.

Details of “external specialist investigators” listed on a government panel are secret.

The Building Integrity scheme was launched last year to “improve employee understanding” of their obligations and how to report suspected misconduct.

Ms Ranieri said she was pleased most public servants knew their obligations.

“This increase is consistent with my assessment … that more reports of suspected misconduct would be made if employees better understood their integrity obligations,” she said.

A government spokeswoman added: “Integrity in the public sector is paramount in delivering for the South Australian community.”

Originally published as Surge in dodgy bureaucrats amid record ‘integrity’ inquiries of South Australian public servants