TASMANIA’S new anti-corruption watchdog has been hit by the sudden resignation of its inaugural chief executive only a year into its operations, apparently after internal differences.
Former West Australian assistant police commissioner Barbara Etter yesterday quit as CEO of Tasmania’s embryonic Integrity Commission, a role she took up in June last year ahead of the IC beginning operations from October 1.
In a short statement, IC chief commissioner Murray Kellam said Ms Etter had “elected to terminate her contract and will not be returning to the office”.
Mr Kellam reassured the public that the commission was unaffected by her departure.
“The commission is conducting its business as usual, under my leadership and the deputy CEO Mr Russell Pearce,” Mr Kellam said. “A new CEO will be recruited in due course.”
He gave no reason for Ms Etter’s abrupt departure and the IC would not answer questions about why she had quit.
The Australian understands there had been personality clashes and strained relationships between Ms Etter and some board members, as well as between Ms Etter and some staff.
Ms Etter could not be contacted yesterday and the IC refused to comment on these suggestions.
Before taking up the post in Tasmania, Ms Etter was assistant commissioner of strategy and performance with the WA Police, working on crime prevention, juvenile justice and indigenous issues. Before that, she headed WA Police’s Corruption Prevention and Investigation Portfolio.
Mr Kellam said he had briefed Premier Lara Giddings, who must advise the governor on a replacement after one is recruited.
Ms Giddings denied the departure of Ms Etter one year after the IC began operations was a blow to the fledgling body.
“Institutions of whatever (kind) have staff turnover and, really, it’s up to the commission to talk to you about these staff issues,” she said.
The IC was set up by former premier David Bartlett to restore faith in Tasmanian democracy after a string of scandals, particularly during the premiership of Paul Lennon.
While it has broad powers and can initiate investigations, it also has strongly focused on lifting standards in public life through education.
In its first year, it has prepared codes of conduct for MPs, ministers and ministerial staff, taken an oversight role in several police internal investigations and received complaints from the public about the past conduct of some MPs.
Matthew Denholm in The Australian HERE
Elsewhere:
ABC Online: Corruption watchdog future questioned
An Upper House MP has questioned the need for Tasmania’s Integrity Commission.
It follows the shock resignation of the commission’s inaugural chief executive, Barbara Etter, just one year into her five-year contract.
Jim Wilkinson chaired the year-long parliamentary investigation which recommended the commission be established.
In its first year of operation, the commission found no evidence of systemic corruption, despite taking 164 complaints.
Mr Wilkinson says the current state budget pressures bring in to question whether there is a need for the watchdog.
“I think that’s a question that’s got to be asked and a debate that’s got to be had, I really do.”
“There was a lot of talk two to three years ago in relation to, people were calling out there’s got to be some corruption as a result of what’s taken place.
“But now when you look at it and you see that they’ve come back with the comment that there’s no systemic corruption in Tasmania.
“Obviously a debate’s got to be continued whether it should be proceeded with,” he said.
The commission, which has the power to probe allegations of serious misconduct by public servants, MPs, aldermen and senior police, has a $3 million budget.
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The Examiner: Call to explain Integrity early exit:
THE Integrity Commission’s refusal to explain why its inaugural chief executive officer quit 15 months into a five-year contract could undermine the public’s confidence in the corruption watchdog, an ethics expert has warned.
Barbara Etter terminated her contract after taking a month’s leave.
No reason for her sudden departure, announced on Tuesday, has been provided.
Natasha Cica, director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society at the University of Tasmania, said an explanation was needed given the public interest in the matter.
“Obviously it was unfortunate to lose a CEO relatively soon into her five-year contract,” Dr Cica said. “I hope that the commission offers some explanation or it raises questions.”
Mrs Etter’s early exit has sparked renewed calls to scrap the commission, which costs $3 million a year to run and has the power to investigate allegations of misconduct against politicians, public servants, alderman and senior police.
Of the 164 complaints received in its first year, most were dismissed and chairman Murray Kellam said it had found no evidence of systemic corruption.
Dr Cica said it was too soon to judge its performance.
“It’s only been in effective operation for a year, we need to give it a chance.”
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