A former senior education department bureaucrat who committed misconduct in a school principal appointment saga was paid more than $600,000 while suspended on full pay for more than two years.
It was revealed in budget estimates in state Parliament that former education department deputy chief executive Jeff Hunt, who stood aside in May 2020 and resigned earlier this month, had received $630,000 in salary payments.
This figure does not include any additional employment contract rights.
Hunt was suspended after the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) launched an investigation into the recruitment process for a headteacher for a new school in Dutton Park in inner Brisbane.
The investigation also led to former deputy prime minister Jackie Trad leaving cabinet, but she was later cleared of any criminal conduct or wrongdoing.
At the time, CCC chairman Alan MacSporran said Mr Hunt’s actions in relation to the recruitment process where he arranged a meeting with Ms Trad to “test” a candidate were “wholly inappropriate”.
Inner City South State Secondary College in Dutton Park, Brisbane, was due to open last year but started operating this year. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
The ABC revealed earlier this year that a Public Service Commission (PSC) disciplinary inquiry found Mr Hunt had committed misconduct in relation to the appointment.
An allegation substantiated by the PSC was that Mr Hunt “improperly” involved himself in the recruitment process for the principal of Inner City South State Secondary College (ICSSSC) and “nullified” the first choice of ‘a selection board, as well as the authorized delegate who had approved this appointment.
The position was later re-advertised at a higher level based on the model that the school would likely exceed its projected size and someone else was appointed.
Mr Hunt was also found to have committed misconduct by failing to accurately record the reasons for the decision to repost and misleading the CEO about the reasons.
Hunt stepped down as deputy general manager of corporate services this month.
In a statement earlier this month, the PSC said it was normal practice to suspend a public servant when they faced allegations of misconduct.
The PSC has assured that its disciplinary process is still pending completion.