Kathy Leigh … “there is no greater job satisfaction than to know that you are working in the public interest”. Photo: IPAA.
UPDATED, 2pm: There were no tributes for outgoing Head of Service Kathy Leigh from Canberra Liberals Leader Mark Parton.
Mr Parton said her retirement was long overdue, saying that on her watch the public service had become politicised.
“After years of delivery failures, integrity findings under her watch, and a public service that too often served the government rather than Canberrans, change at the top is welcome,” he said.
Mr Parton later told ABC radio that a former senior public servant had backed his comments texting: “Many good people have left as a result of that leadership, and I’m definitely one of them.”
He said that over the past 12 years the line between government and the bureaucracy seemed to have disappeared.
“I go to election night 2024 while the votes were still being counted, the Head of Service wrote to Andrew Barr congratulating him on his forthcoming re-election and pledging the public service would ‘deliver your plan’,” Mr Parton said.
“I don’t think that’s an independent public service. I think, as characterised by some of the Greens, that’s a Labor cheer squad.”
Mr Parton said former Greens minister Emma Davidson had complained of her directorate not briefing her, writing twice to Ms Leigh about it.
“Ms Davidson said that she sometimes found out more from the media than from her own public service, and you’ve got to ask why that is and what that had to do with the fact that she was a Greens minister,” he said.
ACT Greens spokesperson for Public Service Andrew Braddock also welcomed Ms Leigh’s departure, saying it presented an opportunity to put merit back at the heart of public service leadership.
“I welcome the resignation of Ms Kathy Leigh as Head of Service and believe this is an opportunity to restore public confidence in the independence, professionalism, and performance of the ACT Public Service,” he said.
“The next Head of Service must be selected on merit and must be the best person for the job.”
Mr Braddock said that at present the role was just a captain’s pick.
“With a Labor government that has been in power for almost 25 years, we need a fiercely independent, non-partisan and competently led public service. We can’t risk a public service that is comfortable and habituated with one party,” he said.
‘Greatest privilege to lead the ACT Public Service’
The first woman to lead the ACT Public Service has announced her retirement after more than 12 years in the top job.
In a letter to the service, Kathy Leigh said she had advised Chief Minister Andrew Barr that she would be leaving her role as Head of Service and Director-General of Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
Her departure comes as the ACT Public Service is wracked by industrial discontent as staff refuse to accept the ACT Government’s pay offers.
Ms Leigh said it had been her greatest privilege to lead the ACT Public Service and work with all staff to serve the people of the ACT and support the government they elect to deliver for the ACT.
“My current role and my previous role as Director-General of Justice and Community Safety and indeed my whole public service career has been enormously satisfying,” she said.
“For me there is no greater job satisfaction than to know that you are working in the public interest as a crucial part of our democratic system.
“Across our ACT Public Service, we each bring our skills and dedication to improve the lives of our community, from national reforms to technical expertise to face-to-face and on-the-ground engagement with our community.
“I thank you all for your commitment, your care and your collegiality as we have pulled together as one service to achieve the best outcomes for our community.”
Ms Leigh thanked Chief Minister Andrew Barr for the confidence he placed in her and former Chief Minister Katy Gallagher for originally appointing her to the role.
Under Treasurer Russ Campbell will act as Head of Service and Director-General of CMTEDD while longer term arrangements are put in place.
Mr Barr thanked Ms Leigh for her service to the ACT Government, the ACT Public Service and the Canberra community throughout a distinguished career in public service.
He said Ms Leigh had made an important contribution to building a more inclusive and representative public service.
“As the first woman to lead the ACT Public Service, she has been a strong advocate for gender equality and for creating opportunities for women to progress into senior leadership,” he said.
“During her time as Head of Service, women have come to hold a majority of senior executive positions across the ACT Public Service and the gender pay gap has effectively been eliminated.
“This is an important part of Kathy’s legacy. The ACT Public Service she leaves is more diverse, more flexible and more representative of the community it serves.”
He said Ms Leigh had provided valued leadership, professionalism and integrity.
She had been deeply committed to the values of public service and to improving outcomes for the people of Canberra.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Kathy for many years. During that time, she has been a respected leader whose judgement, experience and commitment to the public interest have been highly valued across the government,” Mr Barr said.
“Kathy’s contribution has extended well beyond her current role. From her leadership of the Justice and Community Safety Directorate through to her stewardship of the ACT Public Service as Head of Service, she has played a significant role in strengthening our institutions and helping to deliver better outcomes for our community.”
Mr Barr said one of Ms Leigh’s greatest strengths had been her belief in the people of the ACT Public Service, consistently championing a culture of professionalism, collaboration and service.
She had earned the respect of colleagues across government.
“On behalf of the ACT Government, I thank Kathy for her dedication, wise counsel and unwavering commitment to serving the people of Canberra,” Mr Barr said.
“Her leadership has left a lasting mark on the ACT Public Service and on the many people she has worked with and supported throughout her career.
“I wish Kathy and her family every happiness in retirement and thank her for her enormous contribution to our city and community. Kathy leaves with our gratitude, our highest respect and our very best wishes for the future.”
