An independent report into a $315,126 retirement payment to a senior Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) official has found multiple procedural failures, including overpayment and excessive pressure on the timing of the payment. The report, released Thursday by Sydney barrister Fiona Roughley SC, identified conflicts of interest and conflicted persons involved in the decision-making process.
The payment was made to Cate Saunders, former deputy secretary of DPS, who had a close personal relationship with then-DPS secretary Rob Stefanic. Stefanic declared a conflict of interest in August 2022 due to this relationship, but Saunders remained his subordinate for eight months until she was seconded to Services Australia. She later accepted the retirement incentive payment on 1 October 2023.
The report found that the payment deviated from public service guidance, resulting in an increased quantum. It also noted the exclusion or disregard of advice from specialist DPS payroll staff and excessive pressure applied on the timing of the payment. The National Anti-Corruption Commission is conducting a separate investigation into the matter.
The report made seven recommendations, including quarantining conflicted decision-makers and documenting reasons for offers. Stefanic, who stood down in December 2024, told Senate estimates that his dealings with Saunders after declaring the conflict were purely administrative. Current DPS secretary Jaala Hinchcliffe ordered the review in July 2024.
