Australian Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo has been dismissed from his position following a review that revealed he had violated the public service code of conduct at least 14 times. These violations included using his position for personal gain, engaging in gossip and disrespectful criticism of ministers, failing to protect sensitive government information, and failing to act apolitically.
Mr. Pezzullo was previously the secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and had also served as the deputy chief of staff to then-Opposition Leader Kim Beazley in 1993. In a statement on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Mr. Pezzullo’s termination, which was based on recommendations by Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister Glyn Davis and Australian Public Service Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer. The prime minister also thanked Ms. Briggs for conducting the inquiry.
The review findings will not be made public, as the Public Service Act limits the release of personal information collected during the investigation. However, the Commissioner stated that the overarching breach findings should be made available due to the public nature of the allegations and the importance of upholding confidence in the Australian Public Service.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) welcomed the decision to terminate Mr. Pezzullo, calling it an “appropriate and necessary step” and emphasizing the importance of upholding APS values. The CPSU also stated that the reported conduct of Mr. Pezzullo was “incompatible with the principles of impartial and transparent service expected from public servants.”
Mr. Pezzullo’s dismissal comes after media reports in September revealed that he had lobbied for the appointment of a right-wing political leader to oversee the Home Affairs portfolio. Messages between Mr. Pezzullo and Liberal powerbroker Scott Briggs showed that the senior bureaucrat suggested appointing a “right winger” for the home affairs minister role as “people smugglers will be watching.” He also indicated who he wanted to be fired and who should oversee his department, while expressing a desire to see the current Opposition Leader Peter Dutton come back to Home Affairs.