The “serious misconduct” of Murdoch University livestock director Kim Thomas has been revealed in a report by the Commission on Corruption and Crime (CCC) presented to the Washington parliament this week.
Key points:
- A CCC report found that a university livestock manager repeatedly falsified documentation
- CCC report labeled Murdoch University farms as “breeding ground for misconduct”
- Murdoch University has initiated a disciplinary process to address the issues identified in the report
The CCC’s investigation was initiated into the conduct of Mr. Thomas after reports of continued non-compliance with biosafety requirements.
Commissioner John McKechnie QC said the investigation found “very serious breaches of various biosafety laws and regulations.”
It was found that Mr. Thomas changed the property records of the cattle owned by Murdoch University to indicate that the cattle were owned by another party and then changed the records.
“For example, you could cede a bull to a breeder, transfer the bull’s name to the breeder, and then, when the bull returned, transfer it back,” McKechnie said.
“It spread for many, many years, and also for his personal benefit. It was quite deliberate.”
John McKechnie believed that “personal magnification” was the motivation for Mr. Thomas’ actions. (ABC News: James Carmody)
Although the financial gain “was not huge,” McKechnie said Thomas got praise for his misconduct.
“I would exhibit cattle at the Royal Show which were actually Murdoch cattle, but they claimed they were his.
“He regularly won the prize for Illawarra cattle which he erroneously claimed was his, but in fact they were the cattle of Murdoch University, so Murdoch lost any acclaim there might be.”
McKechnie believed that “personal magnification” was the motivation for Mr. McKechnie’s actions. Thomas.
“There is no doubt that he is passionate about agriculture and livestock, and it is probably this passion that has led him to make the wrong decisions that hurt Murdoch.”
Regardless of the acclaim or financial benefit, McKechnie said the “very serious” violation of biosafety was the CCC’s main concern.
The report says the investigation was conducted primarily because of suspected biosecurity hazards.
“The biosecurity rules are there for a good reason, and it’s to protect Australia’s reputation and protect the Australian herd,” he said.
The lack of government at Murdoch University created “breeding ground for misconduct,” the CCC report found. (Supplied by: Murdoch University)
Broth of culture of misconduct: CCC
Murdoch University operates four farms with expenditures in 2020 totaling about $ 1.2 million and revenues of less than $ 265,000.
Mr. Thomas was responsible for the operational and financial management of the farms and associated livestock.
McKechnie said the CCC’s view was that the university’s lack of leadership and governance contributed to the misconduct.
“His lax supervisory structure created a breeding ground for Mr Thomas’ misconduct.
“He had many supervisors, none of them knew much about the agricultural business, he was certainly efficient in the agricultural business, so they left him alone.
“On his merits, once this became known, Murdoch hired consultants and is working with those consultants to implement proper governance and processes.”
CCC Commissioner John McKechnie QC said Mr. Thomas seriously endangers Australian cattle.
The university does not agree with the conclusions
Murdoch University Vice-Chancellor Andrew J Deeks dismissed the CCC’s claims.
“The university does not agree that a‘ breeding ground for misconduct ’was created,” Professor Deeks said in a statement.
“Rather, it appears to be a situation where a trusted employee did not act with the levels of integrity and professionalism expected of him.”
Professor Deeks said the situation was “disappointing”.
Murdoch University has initiated a disciplinary process “to address the issues identified in the CCC report.”
Thomas declined to comment.
A spokesman for the WA Department of Primary Industries and the Regional Development Department said livestock traceability and biosecurity “had never been more important than they currently are.”
“It is important that all people involved in the livestock industry make sure that their obligations are properly understood and fulfilled.
“Failure to comply with these legal obligations puts our livestock industries at risk.”