A senior Education Queensland bureaucrat embroiled in a school appointment saga that led to former deputy premier Jackie Trad quitting cabinet has resigned.
Late yesterday, an Education Department spokesman confirmed deputy director-general Jeff Hunt — who had been suspended on full pay for more than two years — left the department earlier this week.
The ABC revealed in May that a disciplinary probe found Mr Hunt had engaged in misconduct in relation to the recruitment process of a principal at the Inner City South State Secondary College (ICSSSC).
The details were made public after he lost an appeal in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) after trying to argue the disciplinary decision was not fair and reasonable.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) had substantiated a number of allegations made against Mr Hunt, the QIRC decision said, including that he "inappropriately" involved himself in the recruitment process for the principal and "overruled" a selection panel's first pick for the job.
Mr Hunt was also found to have engaged in misconduct by failing to accurately record the reasons for the decision to readvertise, and for misleading the director-general about the reasons.
A sixth allegation relating to a media statement did not amount to misconduct, but it breached Mr Hunt's obligation around diligence, the ruling said.
Following the PSC's findings last September, Mr Hunt was told "serious consideration was being given to the termination of [his] employment".
In a statement, the PSC said it was normal practice to suspend a public servant when they were facing misconduct allegations.
"Suspension without pay is reserved for complex criminal matters," the statement said.
It went on to say an independent decision-maker was appointed to consider and make disciplinary findings in regards to Mr Hunt.
"It is a matter of public record the independent decision-maker was giving serious consideration to termination of Mr Hunt's employment," the PSC said.
"He was not terminated because the disciplinary process, which recommenced once the QIRC decision was known, has yet to be finalised."
Mr Hunt suspended on full pay
The PSC disciplinary probe came after the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) launched an investigation into the recruitment and selection process for the principal of the school in Brisbane's Dutton Park.
Mr Hunt was stood aside from his role as deputy director-general of corporate services "on full renumeration" in May 2020.
The CCC investigation resulted in then-deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad standing aside from her ministerial duties as the investigation looked into meetings she held with candidates during the recruitment period.
Ms Trad represented the electorate where the school was being built.
The findings of the CCC investigation cleared Ms Trad of any criminal conduct or "dishonest or corrupt intent" and found a meeting set up between her and a candidate was instigated by Mr Hunt as a "test".
In response to questions from the ABC about how much Mr Hunt had been paid during his suspension period, a spokesperson from the Department of Education said it had a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of employee information and it would not be making further comment.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the public should know how much Mr Hunt's suspension has cost taxpayers.
"Today's revelation ends a saga that has gone on for far too long and has cost taxpayers far too much," Mr Crisafulli said.
"What this has been is an absolute disaster that has consumed the Department of Education for the better part of two years."
