CSIRO Independent Investigator

CSIRO is committed to providing a positive working environment for all its people; where all forms of unacceptable behaviour – including discrimination, bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threats in the workplace – are not tolerated.

  • 5 February 2013 | Updated 20 May 2013
  1. Overview
  2. Q&A – Independent Investigator
  3. Q&A – Independent Investigator video

Overview

Page 1 of 3

Closing date for submissions has been extended until 7 June 2013.

Since May 2012, there have been a series of allegations made in the media, on websites and to members of Parliament by former employees of bullying and other misconduct matters while they were employed with CSIRO.

Some of these cases CSIRO is aware of and have previously been the subject of independent review.  Some cases were not known and we have therefore decided to appoint Emeritus Professor Dennis Pearce, former Commonwealth Ombudsman, to examine claims made by current and former CSIRO staff and affiliates about these issues. Professor Pearce will be assisted by a team from HWL Ebsworth Lawyers led by Ms Melanie McKean.

This review mechanism is designed to provide an independent and formal means for current and former staff and affiliates to raise concerns and allegations of inappropriate behaviour and misconduct relating to their employment at CSIRO.

Should any of these allegations be proven, CSIRO is committed to taking action to address them. The aims of the review mechanism are to ensure our duty of care has been met to these people, recommend where further action is required and identify lessons we can learn to build into our future strategies.

This mechanism is not intended to establish a scheme under which former employees may apply for financial compensation or other remedies that would typically be able to be awarded by a court, tribunal or other administrative body, and it is not intended to prejudice or substitute for other rights of recourse that a former CSIRO staff member or affiliate may have in relation to any loss or damage they believe they have suffered as a result of their treatment at CSIRO.  Current staff members and affiliates may also make general or specific submissions.  The Independent Investigator will be able to take these into account in the first phase of his investigations, and in making general recommendations to CSIRO.

The terms of reference for this process were updated on 17 May 2013 and are available from the HWL Ebsworth website [external link].