The ACT Government is investigating a complaint about a public servant who was involved in an employment selection panel for the Tuggeranong Community Arts Association.
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Liberal MLA Brendan Smyth raised the issue under parliamentary privilege during a no-confidence motion against Arts Minister Joy Burch on Monday.
A four-person selection panel was last year involved in the appointment of new Tuggeranong Community Arts Association chief executive Rauny Worm. The panel included three members of the association and a staff member of Arts ACT. Two of the panel members wrote to Ms Burch in December to complain about the Arts ACT staff member's behaviour.
Mr Smyth told the assembly it had been alleged that the Arts ACT representative "railroaded'' other panel members into supporting Ms Worm's appointment. "In fact there was [an] unreasonable and demanding attitude during the interview process by a representative of Arts ACT - who I assume was there representing the minister in the organisation - who railroaded the committee,'' Mr Smyth told the assembly.
"The majority of Tuggeranong Community Arts Association on that panel didn't vote for the person who got the job.''
Outside the assembly, Ms Burch confirmed that she had referred the matter to the Community Services Directorate for investigation.
"This complaint is being investigated by the Community Services Directorate and therefore would be inappropriate to comment further,'' Ms Burch said. "Staff appointments for the Tuggeranong Community Arts Centre, like any community organisations, are a matter for the board of management of the organisation and not a decision for government.''
Tuggeranong Community Arts Association president Jenny Hargreaves is married to former Labor minister John Hargreaves.
Mr Hargreaves, who is the association's public officer, said the board had no concerns about the public servant's behaviour.
"The public servant concerned has the absolute confidence of the Tuggeranong community association board,'' he said. Mr Hargreaves accused Mr Smyth of "a cowardly attack on people who are doing their best for this city''.
Mr Smyth also said concerns had been raised about payouts to two former Tuggeranong Community Arts Association staff after they lodged unfair-dismissal claims.
