Overview
- Arts Minister John Graham disclosed on Monday that a formal misconduct investigation is under way into two senior Powerhouse executives and that chief executive Lisa Havilah has been stood aside.
- The museum’s chief operating officer is on leave and is providing information to investigators, and both executives continue to be paid while the probe proceeds.
- The investigation follows a March 2025 referral to ICAC and a departmental fact‑finding report completed in December 2025, after which law firm Lander and Rogers was engaged to conduct the formal probe.
- Media reporting has flagged specific pre‑opening spending under close examination, including a more than $1.7 million documentary and an uncontested $2 million marketing contract linked to the Ki Community agency.
- Officials say the $915 million Parramatta project remains on budget and is set to open on November 7, but the probe and operational reviews could prompt sharper oversight and changes to procurement practice for major cultural projects.