The ACT Integrity Commission has confirmed that legal proceedings against its “Operation Kingfisher” by Katy Haire, head of the ACT Education Directorate, are not hindering the investigation.
“The proceedings concern Operation Kingfisher, which is an investigation involving the conduct
of Ms Haire, amongst others, in connection with the procurement of a construction contract for the
refurbishment of Campbell Primary School,” the commission said in a media statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“The Commission is defending the matter and has engaged external legal counsel to act on its behalf.
This legal action has not hindered the investigation.”
Ms Haire’s action was started in the ACT Supreme Court on September 2023, with a directions hearing held on September 7. The commission says that on September 2023 the matter was listed in the directions list for a final hearing date to be set down. The first hearing date of November 27 was not suitable to Ms Haire and consequently a listing date of February 5 was determined.
On March 15, Ms Haire sought further adjournment and on April 15 a final hearing date of
November 25 was determined.
“The next stage in the commission’s investigation will occur on July 8, with a public hearing to receive submissions from both counsel assisting the commissioner and, in response, counsel on behalf of
interested persons,” the commission says.
“Following this process, a draft report will be prepared by the commissioner and provided
to parties under the required procedural fairness requirements of the Integrity Commission Act 2018. After consideration of any comments that interested parties may make, the Commissioner will make a final report to the Legislative Assembly.”
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