A brawl between two of Queensland’s most senior public servants has spilt into the public arena, with one telling a committee she was called a “b**ch” by a man who, in turn, says he had concerns about the “psychological safety” of the staff reporting to her.
Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov on Monday told a parliamentary committee hearing in Brisbane that Public Service Commission (PSC) chief executive Robert Setter said she was a “b**ch on a witch hunt” during a 2018 phone call.
Mr Setter later denied the claim, saying he was “saddened and appalled” at the accusation made under parliamentary privilege before airing his own concerns “about allegations raised regarding the psychological safety of some staff”.
He did not elaborate on the claim.
Dr Stepanov’s claims came during the early stages of a parliamentary probe into whether the office of the Integrity Commissioner should be made independent of the PSC.
The saga extends what has been a tense time for the Queensland government on integrity matters, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last month forced to announce an independent review into culture and accountability in the state government following weeks of negative headlines.
When asked about the clash between Dr Stepanov and Mr Setter, the Premier said it was merely “argy bargy” and told them “get back to work” as she had better things to deal with, such as the flood recovery.
“These are two very senior public servants and they should get back to work and sort their issues out,” Ms Palaszczuk told media.
“There are people out there who have been flooded, who have lost their homes, lost their livelihoods.
“The last thing they want to see is two senior public servants having a brawl – get back to work and get on with it.”
The Premier said she had not previously been aware of Ms Stepanov’s allegations and added that she supported both of the warring parties.
Dr Stepanov had been asked during the hearing by opposition MP Dan Purdie if she could confirm reports that the misogynistic slur had been made against her by a senior bureaucrat.
Dr Stepanov replied: “I do confirm that I have had comments of that nature, including said to me.”
Mr Setter vehemently denied the allegation and said Dr Stepanov had never raised the issue with him.
“I am appalled because it is not behaviour that I consider appropriate – ever,” he told a press conference.
“I deny absolutely making any misogynistic comments to or about the Integrity Commissioner at any time.”
Queensland parliament resumes on Tuesday.
