Premier labels ex-bureaucrat’s racism claim ‘nonsense’
Premier Daniel Andrews has slammed an ex-bureaucrat’s claim he was told he was “too Irish” for the public service as “nonsense”, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet has also rejected the claim.
Former head of the Environmental Protection Authority, Nial Finegan, says former Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary, Chris Eccles, told him he wouldn’t get another senior role in the Victorian public service after he was made redundant in late 2018.
Mr Finegan has gone public with the allegations after seeing a social media campaign from the Premier, recruiting doctors, nurses and allied health professionals from a number of countries, including Ireland and the UK.
“It just sort of ticked my goat a bit,” he told Neil Mitchell.
Mr Finegan claims he has applied for numerous public service jobs and made it to the final stages of the process, before failing to get the role.
In one instance, he says he phoned to follow up after an interview for a board position on an independent authority in Victoria and claims that he was told he had been recommended as the preferred candidate.
But he never got the role.
“The reason I’m speaking out now is to say this happens and there’s an obligation on those people in senior roles to make sure they’re not excluding people,” he told Neil Mitchell.
When asked about the accusations on Tuesday, Daniel Andrews said they’re “just nonsense”.
Press PLAY below to hear the Premier’s response to questions about the allegations
In a statement, a Department of Premier and Cabinet spokesperson said former DPC Secretary Chris Eccles “has rejected the claims and found the accusation of racism deeply offensive”.
“As an employer, the Victorian public sector has an incredibly large and diverse workforce. Departments promote and champion diversity at every opportunity,” the statement continued.
“Public sector entities are also required by law to recruit based on merit and suitability for all roles.”
3AW Mornings has contacted Chris Eccles for right of reply.
Press PLAY below to hear Nial Finegan telling Neil Mitchell about his experience
Image: Diego Fedele/Getty Images