Serious Corruption Found in ACT Government

By Harry Frost

Topic: State and Territory Government

Thu 23 Jul 2026 at 11:09am

Thu 23 Jul 2026 at 12:04pm

The ACT Integrity Commission looked into a contract for Campbell Primary School's upgrade.

In short:

The Integrity Commission found the former head of the ACT Education Directorate and the Education Minister's then-chief of staff engaged in serious corrupt conduct.

The ACT Integrity Commission released its report after probing the awarding of a contract to revamp a Canberra primary school.

What's next?

No findings were made against ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry, who will comment on the report later today.

A years-long ACT Integrity Commission investigation made serious corruption findings against territory government officials.

The investigation surrounded the awarding of a multi-million-dollar tender for the refurbishment of Campbell Primary School between 2019 and 2020.

Former ACT Education Directorate director-general Katy Haire awarded the contract to Lendlease, despite a bid by local firm Manteena being deemed better and cheaper.

In public hearings, a directorate official said the Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union didn't like the company because it didn't have a union agreement.

Mr Green alleged ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry's then-chief of staff, Joshua Ceramidas, said 'Manteena is not to get it,' citing the company's 'industrial relations performance'.

The commission was critical of Mr Green's conduct, but found he should be 'regarded as a whistleblower' and his conduct did not amount to serious corrupt conduct.

'Calculated attempt to cover up'

The commission found Mr Ceramidas and Ms Haire 'dishonestly provided a back door' by which the strategic interests of the CFMEU were given priority.

Former ACT Education Directorate director-general Katy Haire.

The report said the corrupt conduct of Ms Haire and Mr Ceramidas was likely to threaten public confidence in the integrity of government or public administration.

They dishonestly provided a back door by which the strategic interests of the CFMEU were given priority over the government's policy and the Territory community's interests.

Not only was the process improperly skewed, resulting in unfairness and increased cost, but both Ms Haire and Mr Ceramidas undertook a calculated attempt to cover up the truth.

The corrupt conduct of each amounted to serious corrupt conduct.

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry had no adverse findings made against her.

During the public hearings, Ms Berry said she was aware the CFMEU 'were unhappy with Manteena' but denied being aware of the specifics or having told her staff the company shouldn't get the contract.

The union's then national and local secretary, Zach Smith, also denied having raised Manteena's tender for the school with Ms Berry or her former chief of staff.

The report made no findings on Ms Berry's conduct.

The commission's investigation sparked several court proceedings.

In May 2024, Ms Haire went to the Supreme Court alleging an apprehension of bias.

And, in July 2024, Mr Cerimidas unsuccessfully sought an injunction on the commission's intention to hold public hearings.

The ABC has sought comment from Ms Haire and Mr Ceramidas.

Ms Berry's office will issue a statement later today.

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