Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo has been referred to the Australian Public Service Commissioner by Minister Clare O'Neil after explosive texts emerged showing the public servant disparaging rivals and apparently offering input on political decisions.
A joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald revealed Mr Pezzullo allegedly operated outside the acceptable boundaries for public servants, exploiting a relationship with Liberal powerbroker Scott Briggs to exert influence at the highest levels of government for half a decade.
While there is no suggestion any of the exchanges was corrupt or illegal, senior public servants are held to standards of neutrality and the revelations could make Mr Pezzullo's position in Home Affairs untenable. Ms O'Neil then released a statement confirming she had referred Mr Pezzullo to the Australian Public Service Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer on Sunday night, but offered no further comment.
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