ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner, Georgeina Whelan, will resign on Friday.
It comes following a “damning” report of serious concerns in the management of the ESA.
The Canberra Liberals said the report found the ESA was a “toxic workplace” because of the upper echelons of the ESA.
Whelan, who began her Commissioner role in 2019, has been commended for her “resilience and efficiency” by Emergency Services Minister, Mick Gentleman.
“In August 2019, shortly before one of our worst-ever bushfire seasons, Georgeina was appointed as the first female Commissioner of the ACT Emergency Services Agency,” said Gentleman.
“Through the hazardous 2019-20 bushfire season, Commissioner Whelan was a calming voice for our community, whose transparent and regular updates reassured our community that they were in safe hands.
“Shortly after the bushfires and storms, Commissioner Whelan led our emergency services through the COVID-19 pandemic, working with our Chief Officers to quickly innovate how emergency services were sustained, whilst ensuring the safety of emergency service staff and the community.
“I would like to thank Commissioner Whelan for being there for our community during our toughest times.”
On July 24, Assistant Commissioner Jason Jones will be appointed the Acting Commissioner.
Who can be trusted?
In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.
If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.
Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.
Thank you,
Ian Meikle, editor
Leave a Reply