The removal of Barry Greenberry from his 5-year contract position as Director of Prisons, was again on public display this weekend.
Tasmania’s only televised current affairs program [i]ABC – 7.30 Tasmania[/i] indicated that further documentation had been referred to Tasmania’s new anti-corruption organisation – the Integrity Commission (b>see below) – and [i]The Weekend Australian[/i] featured an article from its Tasmanian correspondent, Matthew Denholm titled: ‘Overland plot claims referred to watchdog’.
According to Mr Denholm’s article this new referral to the Integrity Commission is based on Department of Justice documentation that claims the Tasmanian Justice Secretary was implicated in a ‘sordid’ plot to depose the then Director of Prisons, Mr Barry Greenberry.
In 23 May this year the Minister for Corrections, Nick McKim told Parliament: [i]‘Mr Greenberry did send two emails to me. In those emails were very serious assertions and allegations.’[/i]
Despite the Minister’s acknowledgement, Mr Greenberry’s ‘serious assertions and allegations’ were never investigated. Not by his employer – the Department of Justice and not by the Integrity Commission.
There are a number of important questions:
1. Why would Mr Greenberry still be seeking Minister McKim’s intervention only days before he agreed to a settlement if Mr Greenberry was to receive $260,000?
2. Why would the Government of Tasmania payout [i]any money[/i] to Mr Greenberry if the Department of Justice believed it had sufficient grounds to terminate his contract?
3. Why were Mr Greenberry ‘serious allegations’ not investigated by the Integrity Commission?
4. Why didn’t the Minister responsible for corrections formally request the Integrity Commission to conduct a thorough investigation of what the Minister claimed were ‘serious assertions and allegations’ made by the Director of Tasmanian Prisons?
In June the Greenberry matter was referred to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.
Last Friday Minister McKim said: [i]‘That’s a matter for the Public Accounts Committee. Look, I’ve been really consistent, ahh… for’… I don’t know how many months now. I’m absolutely confident that the Department [of Justice] has acted correctly and appropriately in this case. And I’m also absolutely confident that the information I’ve put before the Parliament is 100% accurate.’[/i]
Reference: ABC1 – 7.30 Tasmania – Ex-prison boss seeks to revive Integrity Commission investigation
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-13/greenberry-test/4956884?§ion=news
• ABC 7.30’s report:
Tasmania’s former Risdon Prison boss has referred more information to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog for investigation.
Barry Greenberry resigned just months into a five year contract and was paid out more than $250 000.
Earlier this year, he complained to the Integrity Commission that he had been bullied and undermined, and that he believed there had been a “deliberate attempt to remove him from his post”.
The complaint was dismissed, but an ABC Right to Information request alerted Mr Greenberry to never before published correspondence, which he now wants investigated.
In an email on the 10th of January 2013 the Deputy Prison Director, Greg Partridge, wrote to the Justice Department Secretary, Simon Overland:
“I have personally witnessed senior staff crying in their offices behind closed doors.”
“I have seen these strong members totally broken and emotionally overwrought.”
“Some say they feel so humiliated and embarrassed – how could they possibly be treated in such a manner by the Director of Prisons.”
“I know that I told you that I would sit on my hands and at the very least act in a professional manner and support Barry as best I could… But tonight I realise I have a duty of care to this organisation and hundreds of hard working and loyal staff.” Deputy Prison Director Greg Partridge to Simon Overland
Mr Partridge then refers to a conversation he had with Mr Overland in a Hobart book store.
“You told me in Fullers Bookshop to trust you and that others were aware of the “events” occurring at TPS since Barry’s arrival and that “certain actions were underway.”
“I understood when you said that you could not tell me more! I did (and do) appreciate and accept those terms – that I cannot be told of certain events or plans, but Simon I can tell you with my hand on my heart, that this organisation is about to explode.” Deputy Prison Director Greg Partridge to Simon Overland
The four-page email was one of about 40 documents requested by 730 Tasmania under Right to Information legislation.
Mr Greenberry’s lawyer has now referred the contents of Mr Partridge’s email to the Integrity Commission.
It is understood Mr Greenberry believes the email backs his theory of a deliberate attempt to remove him, as suggested in his previous complaint to the Commission.
The Commission Chief Executive, Diane Merryfull, would not comment on whether the anti-corruption watchdog had received the complaint, or whether the Commission had decided to conduct an investigation.
When asked if the case needs to be re-investigated, the Corrections Minister, Nick McKim, reiterated that the Justice Department has acted appropriately.
…
The Public Accounts Committee chaired by Ivan Dean decided to launch an inquiry in June.
• Isla MacGregor, Whistleblowers Tasmania: Corrections Minister must act on Greenberry investigation
