Politicians, former senior public servants, and the main public sector union have welcomed the government's decision to sack Home Affairs boss Michael Pezzullo, with the union calling it a necessary step.
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"Far too often we have seen everyday public servants being held to a higher standard than their bosses," Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Melissa Donnelly said.
"Whether you're a grad in the ATO, an APS 3 working in a Services Australia Smart Centre or the secretary of a department - the APS values apply, and so too should the consequences of not adhering to them."
Mr Pezzullo, one of the country's most powerful bureaucrats, was fired from his plum posting as Home Affairs secretary, following an investigation into allegations that he used a Liberal Party back channel to wield political influence.
An independent inquiry, led by former Australian Public Service commissioner Lynelle Briggs, found Mr Pezzullo breached the APS Code of Conduct 14 times in relation to five overarching allegations.
These allegations included that Mr Pezzullo used his duty, power, status or authority to seek to gain a benefit or advantage for himself, and engaged in gossip and disrespectful critique of ministers and public servants.
Allegations also included that he failed to maintain confidentiality of sensitive government information; failed to act apolitically in his employment; and failed to disclose a conflict of interest.
In a statement on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the Governor-General had terminated Mr Pezzullo's appointment, as per Ms Briggs' recommendation.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the government's response to the report showed "we value proper process."
"We value the integrity of the Australian public service, indeed, Speaker, we insist on it," Ms O'Neil told the lower house at question time.
Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Melissa Donnelly said sacking Mr Pezzullo was "an appropriate and necessary step".
Ms Donnelly said the Home Affairs boss "demanded a level of commitment and compliance" from his workforce that he "could not demonstrate".
"The CPSU would like to acknowledge the tens of thousands of APS employees who, despite the failures of senior APS leadership, have continued to serve our country with integrity," she said.
"Our union will continue to advocate for a public service that is strong, frank and fearless - one that can maintain the trust and confidence of all Australians."
Mr Pezzullo was asked to stand aside as Home Affairs boss back in September, following reports by Nine that he allegedly sent messages to Liberal Party power broker Scott Briggs over five years. This masthead has not seen the messages.
He remained on his full pay package of almost $915,000 during the inquiry.
The messages allegedly involved Mr Pezzullo attempting to wield influence on political matters, including over which Coalition MP was appointed as minister of his department.
According to the reports, he also suggested the Liberals sack former defence minister Christopher Pyne, labelled former defence minister Marise Payne "completely ineffectual" and "a problem", and said he "almost had a heart attack" when Julie Bishop was linked with a tilt at the prime ministership in 2018.
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Other messages allegedly showed Mr Briggs directly asking if the top bureaucrat had any messages he wanted him to convey before a dinner with former prime ministers Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull.
Greens' home affairs spokesperson Nick McKim said Monday was a "good day for democracy" and a "good day for the Australian Public Service".
"A bit of advice for him: don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out," the Greens senator told reporters.
Mr Pezzullo was the first person appointed to head the Home Affairs Department when it was created in 2017. He has held the job since, keeping the role when Labor took office in 2022.
Former Defence deputy secretary Paddy Gourley told The Canberra Times that it was "just a pity that it's taken so long" to remove Mr Pezzullo following the initial reports, and urged the government to think carefully about his replacement.
"The person they need in that job is the person who is the mirror opposite of Pezzullo," he said.
"Someone who's trustworthy, someone who is not an empire builder, and someone who has genuine respect for ministers."
Stephanie Foster will continue as acting secretary until a permanent appointment is made.
Justine Landis-Hanley
I'm a federal politics and public sector reporter at The Canberra Times, with an interest in integrity, regulation, and social services. Contact me with tips and feedback at justine.landishanley@canberratimes.com.au.
I'm a federal politics and public sector reporter at The Canberra Times, with an interest in integrity, regulation, and social services. Contact me with tips and feedback at justine.landishanley@canberratimes.com.au.
