Community Safety
With regard to the internal forensic investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct of former Minister and the suspended officials in his office:
1 (a) Who is conducting the investigation, (b) what are the details of all the officials involved in the investigation, (c) what is the proposed time frame for this investigation, (d) what is the detailed expenditure breakdown uncovered by the investigation and (e) what are the (i) expenditure items and (ii) cost per item;
2. whether a progress update regarding the investigation can be provided; if not, why not; if so, what are the preliminary findings?
(1)(a) An internal preliminary investigation was conducted by the Department’s Internal Control Unit into the use of GG vehicles, travel and accommodation expenditure and other related claims in relation to the allegations of misconduct. The documentation was assessed and submitted to the Department of the Premier, Directorate: Employee Relations in support of the investigative and disciplinary processes that they were undertaking.
(b) The team within the Department that investigated the matter consisted of a Deputy Director and Assistant Director.
(c) The documentation was assessed and submitted to the Department of the Premier, Directorate: Employee Relations on 10 February 2022 in support of the investigative and disciplinary processes that they were undertaking.
(d)-(e)
The information relating to expenditure cannot be disclosed at this time as the investigation is being finalised by the Directorate: Employee Relations.
(2) The investigation conducted by the Department of the Premier, Directorate: Employee Relations is finalised against two of the officials and approval was granted to formally charge them and notices to attend a disciplinary hearing were served on them. The other two employees remain suspended pending further investigation.
