One of Canberra’s most powerful civil servants, Michael Pezzullo, has been sacked as home affairs minister after an investigation found he breached the public service code of conduct.
In September, Pezzullo was ousted from his $900,000 role over a series of explosive text messages in which he claimed he wanted to influence government affairs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Monday that the top bureaucrat had been fired.
“The action was based on a recommendation to me from the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commissioner,” Mr Albanese said.
Michael Pezzullo has been sacked as home secretary after an investigation found he breached the public service code of conduct.
“Mr. Pezzullo cooperated fully with the investigation.”
Stephanie Foster will continue to act as interim secretary until a “permanent appointment is made,” Mr Albanese’s office confirmed.
“Mr. Pezzullo has fully cooperated with the investigation. I thank Ms. Briggs for conducting the investigation,” the statement said.
‘Stephanie Foster will continue to act as department secretary until a permanent appointment is made.’
The independent investigation by former Public Services Commissioner Lynelle Briggs examined texts leaked to nine newspapers in September and sent by Mr Pezzullo to the Liberal power broker Scott Briggs.
Texts showed Pezzullo suggesting opposition leader Peter Dutton should become the new home secretary the night before Scott Morrison took over from Malcolm Turnbull in 2018.
Mr Dutton took over the ministry, where he and Mr Pezzullo formed a close partnership.
Pezullo also reportedly suggested the Liberals fire former Defense Secretary Christopher Pyne.
Others show Mr Briggs asking directly if Mr Pezzullo has any messages he wants him to deliver before a dinner with Mr Morrison and Mr Turnbull.
Mr Pezullo was one of Canberra’s most powerful bureaucratic figures as secretary of the massive Department of Home Affairs
In the other messages, Pezzullo spoke candidly about then-Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne as he tried to influence their appointments.
One message said Mr Pezzullo said he almost had a “heart attack” when he thought about Ms Bishop becoming Liberal leader.
Another message showed him mocking Ms Bishop after she appeared in a fashion shoot with TV star Kerri-Anne Kennerley.
‘Sorry. She has agency and autonomy. I understand. But how does this advance the cause of strong, independent policy- or business-relevant women?,” he wrote.
Senator Payne has been discredited in other texts, describing her as ‘completely ineffective’ and a ‘problem’.
The messages were sent via apps such as WhatsApp and Signa, while others named a number of politicians, including Attorney General George Brandis.
Mr Pezullo proposed the idea for the Home Affairs super department in 2001 and finally saw it realized in 2017.
Under Mr Dutton, the department became known for its tough stance on border security issues and for its crackdown on illegal migrants.
Defense Minister Marise Payne was mentioned in texts from Mr PePezullo, describing her as ‘completely ineffective’ and a ‘problem’ (photo, mock-up of the text)
Senator Payne was just one of several coalition figures Mr Pezullo commented bluntly on