Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, has announced a detailed review of the severance pay arrangements for the state’s senior public servants. This comes after reports that the NSW police force paid out close to $700,000 to terminate the contracts of three high-ranking media officers since 2022. The move, prompted by public concern over these large payments, was sparked by investigative reporting by The Guardian Australia.

The scrutiny under Minns’ directive will focus specifically on the terms outlined in the Government Sector Employment Act, examining the procedures and justifications behind large separation payments made to the state’s most senior public servants. Minns has made clear that the review will not affect the compensation terms for critical roles like police officers, teachers, or nurses, indicating a targeted probe at the executive level in the public sector.

Among those who received significant termination payments were Grant Williams, former executive director of the NSW police’s public affairs branch, and Alexandra Hodgkinson, previously an executive media adviser. The review highlights concerns regarding the financial management and accountability within the NSW police force, especially in the context of controversial dismissals.

As the NSW police have refrained from commenting on these payments, citing legislative governance over such rates, the review by Minns’s office is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the allocation of taxpayer money. The findings from this review, which Minns has committed to making public, are highly anticipated to provide clarity on the procedures and rationales behind substantial payouts to senior public servants in New South Wales.