Agriculture boss paid out $900k upon ‘amicable’ exit
The former head of Australia’s Department of Agriculture has been paid nearly $900,000 after his sudden departure because the government insisted he left on friendly terms.
Agriculture minister Julie Collins has announced that departmental secretary Adam Fennessy will leave a two-year, five-year term in September.
“I wish Mr. Fennessy the best with his future endeavors,” Ms. Collins said Sept. 4, crediting him with stabilizing the department during a period of transition.
During a Senate hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, Secretary Justine Saunders said Mr Fennessy was paid $899,620, or a year’s salary minus superannuation.
Changes in executive roles within government departments are not unusual, Saunders said.
“Both the Minister and Mr. Adam Fennessy made it very clear after their departure that Mr. Fennessy remained on friendly terms.” he said.
Citizens Senator Matt Canavan asked whether Mr Fennessy had been sacked, given that he was compensated under a specific clause in the Civil Service Act that deals with the termination of Heads of Department.
Deputy Minister Anthony Chisholm said it was the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet that oversaw the end of Mr Fennessy’s role, not the Department of Agriculture.
“They are not issues that we are directly involved in,” Senator Chisholm told the hearing.
“I don’t think it’s helpful to speculate, especially when we’re talking about an individual who is affected by this.”
Mr Fennessy, who previously ran primary industries, environment, water and planning departments for the Victorian Government, said during a Senate hearing in 2024 that he was proud of his work to shake up the federal portfolio.
“My focus … remains on leading an efficient and focused department on Australian government priorities and, importantly, the needs of Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors,” he said in November. he said.
“Our significant departmental transformation program is continuing. We have engaged staff internally to upgrade our capabilities across a range of areas and the department is on a sustainable financial footing.”
Ms Saunders will play the role for three months, while recruitment for Mr Fennessy’s permanent replacements has continued.
