Scathing critique of governor general’s office reveals allegations of intimidation, disarray, and an atmosphere of dread | Australian Politics

A damning review into the governor general’s office has uncovered allegations of bullying and harassment, sharing of personal information without consent, and staff hesitance to report incidents due to fear of repercussions. The independent review, led by respected former public servant Vivienne Thom, criticized the office’s internal dysfunction, lack of diversity reflective of the population, and recommended external intervention to overhaul the entity. Concerns were raised about the prolonged processing times for nominations in the Order of Australia due to inadequate staffing, with suggestions that funds allocated for this purpose were diverted to cover other budget overruns. The report also highlighted employees’ inclination to overemphasize the uniqueness of their work and resistance to advice from other public service entities. Despite the review’s completion in November 2024, it was only quietly uploaded to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website earlier this week, with the federal government not publicizing the inquiry initiated in August of the previous year. The review proposes 22 recommendations to improve the office’s management, finances, and staff, including the introduction of a senior strategic adviser to assist in its transformation. Notable among the findings are the office’s incomplete and inconsistently applied human resources policies, the reluctance to seek external advice, and the significant diversity gap among employees, impacting their ability to adequately support the governor general. The report emphasizes that the high staff turnover in 2023-2024 is partly attributed to an environment plagued by bullying, harassment, and unresponsive management. The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General has acknowledged the review and is taking action on its recommendations, although legislative changes or funding adjustments for these overhauls are at the discretion of the government. The backlog of nominations for the Order of Australia has grown significantly due to insco staffing and operational efficiencies, with concerns that delayed recognition may lead to posthumous awards or recipients becoming ‘very elderly’ before being honored. The need for urgent

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/29/governor-general-office-review-claims-bullying-dysfunction-culture-of-fear-ntwnfb