Education Minister Yvette Berry has refused to express confidence in the head of her directorate, Katy Haire, who has launched legal proceedings in the Supreme Court against the ACT Integrity Commissioner.
Ms Haire is seeking to have the investigation into the Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project shut down.
In question time in the Assembly on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee asked the minister if she still had confidence in the head of her directorate. She refused to answer.
Ms Berry also confirmed she was unable to discuss the matter with other participants such as Ms Haire, or anyone else, because they are both under investigation.
Ms Lee said it is implausible for a Minister to continue in her role given that she and the head of her directorate are under investigation for such serious matters.
“If the Minister refuses to express confidence in the head of her directorate, and they are unable to have discussions of matters of this importance, then the Minister is in no place to run the education system in the ACT,” Ms Lee said.
“In any other jurisdiction, a Minister that is under investigation by the Integrity Commission would stand down from their position until the investigation is complete.
“The chief minister must now show leadership and ask the Education Minister to step down while the investigation is active.”
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