Govt dept won’t say how much it spent on consultant to investigate alleged impropriety in fox

A GOVERNMENT department has refused to reveal how much it paid a consultant to investigate public service misconduct within the now defunct $40 million Fox Eradication Program.

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Wildlife and Environment launched a probe into possible breaches of the State Services Act after a tip-off from Tasmania Police.

The investigation centred on the only employee identified by police still working for DPIPWE but it was quietly disbanded after the employee suddenly resigned this year.

The State Government told Parliament that the investigation could not continue if the person was no longer employed. The employee is no longer under investigation by the department.

It revealed that former Justice Department secretary Simon Overland appointed a specialist consultant from the private sector to investigate.

DPIPWE declined to provide remuneration details to the Mercury or reveal how many former employees had been flagged by police.

Fox program critic MP Ivan Dean is furious the investigation ceased because of the resignation and has vowed to keep pushing the matter.

In 2016, police examined a dossier from Mr Dean alleging fox evidence collected around the state by the eradication program had been fabricated …

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