A former senior South Australian government executive says she has stopped applying for jobs interstate amid the continued fallout from an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation which was dropped nearly two years ago.
Former Renewal SA manager Georgina Vasilevski, and chief executive John Hanlon, were charged with multiple offences following an 18-month ICAC investigation linked to work trips but a magistrate ruled there was no case to answer.
Ms Vasilevski's charge related to allegedly claiming a $1,032 trip to Melbourne.
Mr Hanlon was subsequently charged again, to appear before in the District Court, before the case was discontinued last November.
Speaking under parliamentary privilege before a committee looking into damage, harm or adverse outcomes resulting from ICAC investigations, Ms Vasilevski revealed she had now had "about 75 per cent" of her legal fees reimbursed.
When asked by committee member Frank Pangallo of SA Best whether Google should remove references to the charges or have a footnote on search items to show there was no case to answer, she said that would "100 per cent" help to rebuild her reputation and get jobs.
"While that still appears, your reputation continues to be sullied, doesn't it?" Mr Pangallo asked.
"One hundred per cent. That would make a big difference," Ms Vasilevski said.
"I can't even get in front of an employer to have an interview.
"They don't have to give me an explanation for why they haven't shortlisted me, but I believe that some of the reasons why I haven't been shortlisted for positions is because they have googled my name."
She said she had applied for jobs within the SA government and had not been shortlisted and has since given up on applying for interstate roles.
"If they google my name, which most recruiters do, they'll see all the ICAC stuff on there," she said.
Ms Vasilevski's name and charges still appear on the ICAC website, which she told the committee she believed should also be removed.
She also said she had tried unsuccessfully to challenge her redundancy from her $300,000-a-year role at Renewal SA.
"I was able to finally reach a settlement regarding that redundancy which is confidential," Ms Valisevski said.
"But it did not compensate me for reputational damage, loss of future earnings or losing my exemplary 20-year career in the public service."
Waiting on an apology
Ms Vasilevski told the committee she had requested an apology or formal acknowledgement of the dropped charges from both the former and current state governments but was yet to receive one.
"The previous Marshall government, who were the government responsible when this happened, did not apologise or say anything publicly on what had happened to me," she said.
But she said she did receive a text message from former transport and infrastructure minister Stephan Knoll, who told her he was glad to see the matter resolved but was sorry for how it played out.
"As a new minister, when [former ICAC commissioner Bruce] Lander came to my office, I had little choice but to accept what he was saying," Ms Vasilevski said, reading out her correspondence with Mr Knoll.
"We were never presented with evidence, just his word.
"The further this went on, the more I had doubts, but I had no ability to intervene.
"If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
Both Mr Lander and Mr Knoll have been contacted.
Ms Vasilevski told the committee she had been advised there would be no discussions about compensation until ICAC Inspector Philip Strickland SC had finished his review of Mr Hanlon's case, which was due in the coming month.
She also confirmed she had sold her family home to fight the charges in Magistrates Court before the no-case decision was reached.
