Simon Overland announces resignation as Justice Department secretary

THE head of one of Tasmania’s largest government departments has unexpectedly resigned.

Simon Overland is stepping down as Justice Department secretary to take up a role in local government in Victoria. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE head of one of Tasmania’s largest government departments has unexpectedly resigned.

Justice Department Secretary Simon Overland yesterday informed Premier Will Hodgman he would be leaving on Friday August 18.

Mr Overland will take up the chief executive role at Victoria’s Whittlesea City Council.

He emailed staff explaining his decision, which came after he had been reappointed for another five years earlier this year.

“Having recently been approached for a CEO role interstate I have, for a variety of reasons, decided to accept that appointment,” he told staff.

“It has been an honour to lead the Department of Justice over the past five years.

“I have enjoyed the challenge of the role and working with the many fine and dedicated people across the department.”

Mr Overland said he was honoured to join the Whittlesea Council, which is on the outskirts of Melbourne.

“I feel very honoured in accepting this important appointment. I am looking forward to working with council, staff and the local community to deliver on council’s plans for the City of Whittlesea,” he said in a statement on the council’s website.

The Premier released a brief statement in response.

“Mr Overland has served both Labor and Liberal Governments since 2012 and we thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his future endeavours,” he said.

“An acting secretary will be appointed when Mr Overland departs in four weeks.”

Mr Overland quit as the Victorian police chief in 2011 after an inquiry found police released misleading crime statistics in the lead-up to the 2010 state election.

A 20-year veteran of the Australian Federal Police before joining Victoria Police, Mr Overland headed the Purana Taskforce, which tackled Melbourne’s organised crime.

He replaced Christine Nixon as Chief Commissioner in 2009 before his exit from the police force.

He was appointed as secretary of Tasmania’s Justice Department by the former Labor-Green government in 2012 and is well regarded on both sides of politics.

His resignation will leave the department without a permanent secretary or minister after the departure of Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin because of illness.

The Justice Department includes prisons, courts, consumer affairs and building services.

In recent years, Mr Overland has overseen department changes after the Liberal Government instituted a budget savings program.

In January 2013 Mr Overland was king-hit by a man attempting to steal two bottles of wine from him and his wife.

After regaining his feet Mr Overland restrained his alleged attacker, while Mrs Overland called police.