Following a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigation, a former Director-General pleaded guilty today in the Brisbane District Court to the criminal charge of Abuse of Office in relation to the employment of a family member in her department. Julie Grantham was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, which was wholly suspended, and ordered to repay $17,000 to the Queensland Government.
The CCC has said in the past that the public sector has obligations to the Queensland public to act with integrity and to make transparent and accountable decisions. Where those decisions relate to employment it is vital that they are based on merit and equity.
Setting a high standard for the behaviour of public servants must start at the top of every public sector agency. Today’s court outcome demonstrates that even the most senior of people working in the public sector are not immune from criminal prosecution when their behaviour deviates from an obligation to act with integrity and to serve the public interest.
I will be writing to every Director-General and Chief Executive Officer in Queensland public sector departments and agencies reminding them of the importance in setting a very high benchmark for transparent and ethical behaviour in their organisations.
AJ MacSporran QC
CCC Chairman
