Two of the twenty new Education Directors appointed under Weatherill Government policies had concerns raised about their performance in the Debelle Royal Commission.
This was confirmed yesterday by Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) Chief Executive Tony Harrison in the Legislative Council Budget and Finance Committee.
These highly paid new Education Director positions are the key positions in the Department helping to drive the current reform process.
Mr Harrison also conceded he had taken action to try to not appoint one person, but after an appeal, an independent review and further legal advice he agreed to the appointment.
“Minister Rankine must now explain publicly to parents and the community why this is an acceptable outcome for such critical appointments,” said Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas.
“Ms Rankine should explain why officers whose performance had been criticised by Justice Debelle are suitable for appointments to such key new leadership positions.”
In further evidence to the Budget and Finance Committee Mr Harrison said:
• Six senior education officers appointed last November to review performance of all government schools had not yet reviewed a single school, and would not commence a review until early next year – this is a massive waste of more than $1 million of taxpayers’ money;
• The average wait for response on the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) had blown out from 14 minutes to 17 minutes;
• There were no federal cuts to education in the next four years and the claimed federal cuts of $335 million will impact in 2018 or 2019; and,
• Former Weatherill Government spin doctor Leah Manuel had recently been appointed to the position of Director of Communications in the DECD.