- Mike Pezzullo was a central architect and inaugural boss of the Home Affairs Department.
- He has been stood down on full pay pending an inquiry into his conduct.
- Changes to secretary pay and conditions mean Mr Pezzullo might not receive a termination payment.
One of the most powerful figures in the public service has been sacked after leaked conversations revealed the depths of his attempts to influence the government on policy and the shape of government.
Mike Pezzullo, the head of the Home Affairs Department, was considered one of the most influential figures in the machinery of government even before alleged private conversations with a Liberal powerbroker exposed he had seemingly spent years using a political backchannel to influence prime ministers and undermine others.
[…]
The inquiry found Mr Pezzullo had broken the public service code of conduct on at least 14 occasions. The breaches included:
- Using his duty, power, status or authority to seek to gain a benefit or advantage for himself
- Engaged in gossip and disrespectful critique of ministers and public servants
- Failed to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government information
- Failed to act apolitically in his employment
- Failed to disclose a conflict of interest
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Mike Pezzullo, the head of the Home Affairs Department, was considered one of the most influential figures in the machinery of government even before alleged private conversations with a Liberal powerbroker exposed he had seemingly spent years using a political backchannel to influence prime ministers and undermine others.
Following the leaked text exchanges, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stood aside Mr Pezzullo and referred the matter to the Australian Public Service Commission to investigate.
“This action was based on a recommendation to me by the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commissioner, following an independent inquiry by Lynelle Briggs,” he said.
The prime minister thanked Ms Briggs for conducting the inquiry and added that Stephanie Foster would continue to act as secretary of the department until a permanent appointment was made.
Two weeks earlier, the government acted similarly, in announcing a Chinese warship had injured Australian Navy personnel, about 90 minutes after Mr Albanese held a press conference in the US.
Nine Newspapers and 60 Minutes reported in conversations spanning five years Mr Pezzullo allegedly undermined Coalition ministers and public servants, particularly those who he viewed were standing in the way of a home affairs super department.
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