Public Service Commissioner events
Dear Merit Protection Commissioner,
The Merit Protection Commissioner is currently investigating the Public Service Commissioner, John Lloyd, for contravening the Public Service Act.
After becoming aware he was to be investigated, John Lloyd decided to resign from his position as of 8 August 2018.
Despite being under investigation for breaking the law, the Australian Public Service Commission, at significant expense to the taxpayer, organised a lavish farewell party for John Lloyd at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 19 July 2018.
John Lloyd is scheduled to give his valedictory address at the IPAA on 6 August 2018: https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2018/...
Presumably these events would not have gone ahead, or been planned, if there was a possibility Mr Lloyd would be publicly found, before he resigns from his position on 8 August 2018, of contravening the Public Service Act. And so it’s likely that arrangements have been made, and assurances given, that either: i) the investigation into Mr Lloyd will not be concluded before 8 August 2018; or otherwise ii) the result of any investigation would be that Mr Lloyd’s misconduct does not amount to a contravention of the Public Service Act.
Under the FOI Act, I seek copies of any documents which indicate whether the Merit Protection Commissioner attended or intended to attend the 19 July 2018 event referred to above as well as any documents which indicate whether the Merit Protection Commissioner intends to attend the 6 August 2018 event referred to above.
Alternatively, in the spirit of acting transparently, accountably, with integrity and in a manner that avoids conflicts of interest, I seek that information administratively (rather than under the FOI Act) from the Merit Protection Commissioner’s office (if that information is given administratively, I will withdraw this FOI request).
Thank you.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear DB,
I refer to your application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) of 2 August 2018 for which I formally acknowledge receipt.
On this occasion I will administratively release information to you as I am of the view it is in the public interest to do so.
I am not aware of the event of 19 July 2018 to which you refer or even if such an event was organised and or funded by the APSC. I did not attend any event on 19 July 2018 of the kind to which you refer.
I did not attend the IPAA event on 6 August 2018.
Please now advise if you will withdraw your application under the FOI Act.
Yours sincerely
Linda Waugh
Merit Protection Commissioner
Office of the Merit Protection Commissioner
PO Box 20636, World Square Post Office, SYDNEY NSW 2002
W: http://meritprotectioncommission.gov.au Join us on Facebook
-----Original Message-----
From: DB <[FOI #4725 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 2 August 2018 6:01 AM
To: FOI <[email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Public Service Commissioner events
Dear Merit Protection Commissioner,
The Merit Protection Commissioner is currently investigating the Public Service Commissioner, John Lloyd, for contravening the Public Service Act.
After becoming aware he was to be investigated, John Lloyd decided to resign from his position as of 8 August 2018.
Despite being under investigation for breaking the law, the Australian Public Service Commission, at significant expense to the taxpayer, organised a lavish farewell party for John Lloyd at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 19 July 2018.
John Lloyd is scheduled to give his valedictory address at the IPAA on 6 August 2018: https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2018/...
Presumably these events would not have gone ahead, or been planned, if there was a possibility Mr Lloyd would be publicly found, before he resigns from his position on 8 August 2018, of contravening the Public Service Act. And so it’s likely that arrangements have been made, and assurances given, that either: i) the investigation into Mr Lloyd will not be concluded before 8 August 2018; or otherwise ii) the result of any investigation would be that Mr Lloyd’s misconduct does not amount to a contravention of the Public Service Act.
Under the FOI Act, I seek copies of any documents which indicate whether the Merit Protection Commissioner attended or intended to attend the 19 July 2018 event referred to above as well as any documents which indicate whether the Merit Protection Commissioner intends to attend the 6 August 2018 event referred to above.
Alternatively, in the spirit of acting transparently, accountably, with integrity and in a manner that avoids conflicts of interest, I seek that information administratively (rather than under the FOI Act) from the Merit Protection Commissioner’s office (if that information is given administratively, I will withdraw this FOI request).
Thank you.
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Locutus Sum left an annotation ()
This request was actually withdrawn by the applicant and not refused by the authority. I sent a message to the applicant to ask them to update the status of this request to show that it has been withdrawn but the applicant has not done this. I cannot classify it as withdrawn. Instead to leave it as unclassified, I have marked it as "refused" so at least showing that the request is finished.
It is not ideal. I hope the applicant will update the status correctly to say "withdrawn".
Locutus Sum left an annotation ()
I have sent a message to the applicant to ask them to update the status of the request so it says that the request has been withdrawn.