Parliamentary Services Under Scrutiny Over $300,000 Payout and Conflict of Interest

An independent investigation is underway following a controversial retirement payment linked to a declared personal relationship within the department.

• The Department of Parliamentary Services is facing a 'fact-finding' mission to examine a $315,126 payout to former deputy secretary Cate Saunders after a personal relationship with her superior was declared.
• Acting Secretary Jaala Hinchcliffe confirmed that department head Rob Stefanic is on indefinite paid leave, with no clear return date, following a raid by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
• Stefanic failed to document a potential conflict of interest in writing, as required, only making verbal declarations about his relationship with Saunders.
• Senate estimates hearings revealed that the lack of record-keeping and transparency in the department has raised concerns among senators, prompting calls for governance reviews.
• Fiona Roughley SC has been appointed to lead an independent investigation into the department's processes regarding the incentive-to-retire payment to Saunders.

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