The Palaszczuk Government has moved to sack directors-general, with high profile Health Department chief Ian Maynard terminated today.
Sources said Mr Maynard was told to take leave this week, and was to receive a letter today, from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk terminating his services.
A spokesman for the Premier said she had asked directors-general to satisfy themselves that they could be 100% committed to the new government’s election policies given the people of Queensland had just voted on these policies.
“If any Directors-General feel the need to pursue other opportunities, they are free to make contact with the Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet to discuss their intentions and options,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman on Wednesday night said Ian Maynard had initiated the discussion with the acting director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. It is understood his departure follows those talks.
While the state’s directors-general have been told they need to re-apply for their jobs, it is understood the new Government is moving against a small number of public service chiefs.
The director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet Jon Grayson has already been replaced by Dave Stewart.
“The merit based appointment process for Directors-General will start when Dave Stewart takes up the position of acting Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet on Monday, March 9.”
And Rob Setter, without any public announcement, was made acting chief executive of the Public Service Commission nine days ago. The permanent chief executive, Andrew Chesterman, is understood to be on leave.
Questioned late yesterday, a spokesman for the Public Service Commission said a statement on Mr Chesterman’s position was being prepared.
A meeting next week will explain to those directors-general who are not terminated how a new recruitment process will operate in which they will be required to re-apply for their jobs.
Dave Stewart, the new director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, was previously sacked by the Newman Government and then re-hired to head up Projects Queensland – a position he later quit.
Mr Maynard declined to comment yesterday. He was appointed director-general of the Department of Health in 2013, after serving time as the Public Service Commission chief executive.
His previous roles include Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Urban Utilities, Chief Operating Officer for the Brisbane City Council, Senior Risk Management and Strategic Procurement roles with Fonterra Limited, the world’s leading exporter of dairy products, and Fletcher Challenge Limited, in New Zealand.
Mr Chesterman was unable to be contacted late today. He also worked at Brisbane City Council, before being appointed director-general of Environment and Heritage Protection.