The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) has confirmed its board was unaware that newly appointed chief executive Margot McNeill was under investigation for serious misconduct at her previous job until after her hiring. The revelation has prompted an ACT Legislative Assembly motion for a parliamentary inquiry into the recruitment process.
Dr McNeill resigned from TAFE NSW, where she served as chief product and quality officer, in May last year. She was announced as CIT’s new CEO in June. The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission later published a judgment revealing that TAFE NSW launched an investigation in October 2024 after multiple employee complaints. The probe concluded Dr McNeill breached TAFE’s code of conduct, and her employment file was updated to reflect a termination instead of a resignation.
CIT board chair Kate Lundy stated the board learned of the investigation only after Dr McNeill’s appointment, following an anonymous letter and a referral from the ACT Integrity Commission. Lundy said Dr McNeill did not disclose the investigation during interviews, citing legal advice that prohibited disclosure. Lundy added that TAFE NSW provided a positive reference and did not inform CIT of the probe.
Dr McNeill contested the findings, noting the case was dismissed for want of jurisdiction and that she is challenging the process legally. She maintained her resignation preceded the investigation’s outcome and that she won the CIT role on merit. ACT Skills Minister Michael Pettersson said he became aware of the allegations the day before Dr McNeill started on June 18, via an anonymous complaint.
The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed a motion for the Public Accounts and Administration Committee to examine the recruitment process. TAFE NSW declined to comment beyond the published judgment, citing confidentiality.
