A secretly recorded instruction to keep curriculum discussions with the Education Minister's office out of writing is the subject of a formal investigation launched by the Chief Ombudsman over allegations officials attempted to circumvent the Official Information Act.
Chief Ombudsman John Allen said he had met with Secretary for Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid and Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche this morning to discuss the allegations.
"It would not be appropriate to talk about the details of our discussion other than to say I have advised Ms MacGregor-Reid that I will be conducting a formal investigation into the allegations," he said.
"I aim to complete my investigation as soon as possible but speed will not be at the expense of thoroughness."
A leaked video, first shared by the Herald on Tuesday, showed senior official Dr Catherine Law telling staff not to put information shared with Education Minister Erica Stanford's office in writing because it could be made public under the Official Information Act (OIA).
Leaked video shows Ministry of Education staff being told not to put certain information in writing. (Source: 1News)
Media have also reported claims by other sources that the incident was not a one-off within the ministry.
The Ombudsman considers and investigates complaints about official information requests as part of a public sector watchdog role.
McGregor-Reid said in a statement to 1News the independent examination would ensure the matter was "thoroughly and objectively assessed".
"Given the Ombudsman's decision to conduct a formal investigation, the status of the internal review I commissioned earlier this week will be considered once I’ve received the terms of reference.”
'Very disappointing' - Stanford
Education Minister Erica Stanford told the House on Tuesday it was "very disappointing" to see the officials' comments.
"I want to be very clear and put on the record in Hansard that not myself or anybody else in my office has ever directed or even suggested that anyone should not comply with the OIA," she said.
Labour's education spokesperson Ginny Andersen, who had moved an urgent debate on the matter, said it was "absolutely inconceivable" Stanford had no knowledge of it.
"It is about the culture that she has led from the top. It is about a culture of cover-ups not only within the Ministry of Education but wider in Government as well," she said.
"While there is an internal review, while someone else will be blamed about what has happened here, at the end of the day, the buck stops with her."
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