Mike Pezzullo is still receiving his near $1 million salary despite being stood down as secretary to the Department of Home Affairs over concerns about his relationship with a Liberal Party powerbroker and lobbyist, even as it remains unclear if an inquiry into the incident will be released.
At the first Senate Estimates hearing since revelations about Mr Pezzullo’s communications with lobbyist Scott Briggs, Home Affairs’ acting secretary Stephanie Foster declined to provide evidence on almost anything related to matter.
Ms Foster was questioned on whether the department was aware of the relationship, if Mr Pezzullo had made conflict of interest disclosures about it, or if he had directed the awarding of a near $10,000 a week contract to one of Mr Briggs’ firms.
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