Appendix D – Documents in relation to Ms Jane Wolfe

Minister for Defence
House of Representatives Question (Question No 1065)

Mr Oakeshott asked the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, in writing, on 29 October 2009:
ln respect of the dismissal ofMs Jane Wolfe from the Department ofDcfence in March 2009,

(1) Can the Minister outline the legislative responsibilities of the (then) Public Service Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) when reviewing the dismissal of Ms Jane Wolfe, and confirm that these legislative responsibilities and the requirements offaimess, natural juqtice and privacy were complied with in the review.

(2) In respect of the DMO's Wikipedia website, can the Minister confirm (a) that it is normal practice for a Government dt:partment to maintain such a site, (b) who monitors the publication of information on this website, (c) how the integrity of the Wikipedia page is maintained given the ability of registered users to freely edit content, (d) the guidelines for the publication of information in Wikipedia and whether the DMO adheres to these guidelines, (e) that it is appropriate to publish the sacking of any employee on such a website, and {f) why there is a reference under Leadership on the website to the dismissal of one leader of DMO, but no other information regarding any other leader of DMO.

Mr Combet - The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows

(I) The Public Service Act 1999 does not provide for reviews of termination of employment decisions. Ms Wolfe made the decision to have the matter reviewed via a j udicial review in the federal Court.

(2) (a to e) As DMO and Defence ne~ther control, contribute to, monitor, maintain or check the integrity ofWilcipedia pages, it is not appropriate to respond.

Senator The Hon Joe Ludwig
Cabinet Secretary
Special Minister of State
Manager of Government Business in the Senate
Senator for Queensland

The Hon Robert Oakeshott MP
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Reference no: RG10-064

Dear Mr Oakeshott

Thank you for your letter to the Prime Minister dated 12 April 2010 which has been passed to me for a response.

Under the Public Service Act 1999 issues relating to the conduct of individual public servants are a matter for the relevant agency head. In Dr Gumley's case, this is the Secretary of the Department of Defence, Dr Ian Watt AO. This includes consideration of allegations that employees of the Department may have breached the Code of Conduct. I have therefore forwarded your correspondence and this response to Dr Watt.

With respect to Ms Briggs, I am advised that while her actions were as the Public Service Commissioner, as she is now the Chief Executive Officer of Medicare, the appropriate person to consider the matter is the current Public Service Commissioner Mr Stephen Sedgwick. Mr Sedgwick is also the relevant person to consider the conduct of any person within the Public Service Commission. Mr Sedgwick will contact you shortly about this matter.

Yours sincerely

Senator Ludwig
25 June 2010

CC: Dr Ian Watt AO