A territory minister has become the latest politician to be entangled in a scandal with a rogue construction union, following findings that two of her staff engaged in "serious corrupt conduct".
ACT's Education Minister Yvette Berry has resigned from her role after a five-year probe by the ACT's Integrity Commission concluded that her then chief of staff Joshua Ceramidas and then director-general of education Katy Haire were dishonest in their selection of a contract for an $18 million revamp for a Canberra primary school.
Construction company Manteena was recommended to be awarded the contract by two separate tender evaluation teams however, it was given to LendLease instead.
The findings revealed that LendLease was handed the contract in the strategic interests of the Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), to which Mr Ceramidas had links.
Both individuals then undertook a "calculated attempt to cover up the truth", the report said.
In a statement, Ms Berry said the commission had not found any misconduct against her and that she would continue to serve the people of Ginninderra.
"When you are a minister, you have significant responsibilities. I have always held those responsibilities and myself to high standards," she said.
"I have made this decision because I don't want a parliamentary public circus to follow this report."
Opposition leader Mark Parton has labelled the findings a "kick in the guts" for ACT taxpayers.
"This school modernisation project has ended up costing ratepayers nearly a million dollars more than it should have," Mr Parton told AAP.
"Pressure was exerted from the CFMEU, and that pressure was enabled by key members of this government."
Ms Berry is one of the longest-running politicians in the ACT Legislative Assembly, having served for almost 14 years while being deputy chief minister since 2016.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the Integrity Commission's findings of corrupt conduct were "serious and deeply concerning".
"Under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, ministers are accountable for the decisions and actions of their staff," he said in a statement.
"In light of the commission's findings about her former chief of staff, I have accepted the deputy chief minister's resignation as a minister."
Integrity reforms undertaken since the misconduct occurred had strengthened accountability and procurement practices in the public service, Mr Barr said.
