The ACT Integrity Commission has concluded a years-long investigation with serious findings of misconduct against senior territory government officials related to the awarding of an $18.8 million refurbishment contract at Campbell Primary School.

The contract, awarded between 2019 and 2020, was given to Lendlease despite a bid from local firm Manteena being assessed as better and cheaper. Former ACT Education Directorate director-general Katy Haire awarded the contract.

During public hearings beginning in 2023, a directorate official identified as "John Green" testified that the Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) opposed Manteena because it lacked a union agreement. Mr Green alleged that Joshua Ceramidas, then-chief of staff to ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry, stated "Manteena is not to get it," citing the company's "industrial relations performance."

The commission criticized Mr Green's conduct, including dishonest evidence given to the auditor-general, but determined he should be regarded as a whistleblower and that his conduct did not amount to serious misconduct.

The investigation found that Mr Ceramidas and Ms Haire "dishonestly provided a back door" prioritizing the strategic interests of the CFMEU over government policy and community interests. The report stated, "So far as Ms Haire and Mr Ceramidas is each concerned, there can be no doubt that the misconduct conduct which they have been found to have committed was of a character that would be likely to threaten public confidence in the integrity of government or public administration."

Furthermore, the process was improperly skewed, resulting in manifest unfairness and substantially increased costs. Both officials undertook a calculated attempt to cover up the truth of what occurred.

During the hearings, Minister Berry acknowledged awareness that the CFMEU "were unhappy with Manteena" but denied knowledge of specifics or instructing staff to exclude the company from the contract.

Sources