Sue Neales Mercury
A SENIOR government adviser has been sacked for writing a letter critical of the Government to Premier Paul Lennon. Nigel Burch, a Burnie-based adviser and electoral officer to Deputy Premier Steve Kons, was escorted from Mr Kons’ office on Monday after a sudden visit from two top-level government staffers. It is understood the letter of instant dismissal handed to Mr Burch at 11am on Monday was signed by Mr Lennon’s office chief, Daniel Leesong. Mr Burch’s dismissal letter is believed to refer solely to a letter he sent by email to the Premier this month, marked “Private and personal”, as the reason for his firing. His sacking comes two weeks after Mr Lennon trumpeted in his agenda-setting speech on the first day of Parliament that “in 2008, the Government will seek independent, frank and fearless advice right across the breadth of government activity”. “Agenda 2008 is a new way in which the Government is making itself accountable to the Parliament and to the Tasmanian people,” Mr Lennon said in his speech of Tuesday, March 4.
Mr Burch is understood to have written to the Premier after reading in the Mercury about Mr Lennon’s commitment to make a fresh start with a personal makeover. Mr Burch’s letter is also believed to have raised concerns about: The lack of transparency surrounding the appointment of some government advisers; Why many senior and highly paid jobs in ministers’ offices were not openly advertised; The gaps in appropriate qualifications and experience held by some ministerial advisers. Read more here
