The Teachers Are Blowing Their Whistles!
Subtitle
2005 : The Queensland Labor Government appoint Julie Grantham as Assistant Director-General, School Resourcing and Administration in Education Queensland.
January 2007 : The Queensland Labor government appoint Julie Grantham as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Justice and Attorney General.
http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/about/dgbio.html
- But this information has now been removed from the Education Queensland website.
September 2007 : The Queensland Labor government appoint Julie Grantham as Acting Director-General of the Department of justice and Attorney General.
May 2008 : The Queensland Labor Government appoint Julie Grantham permanent Director-General of the Department of Justice and Attorney General.
http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/about/dgbio.html
- But this information has now been removed from the Education Queensland website.
2009 : The Queensland Labor government appoint Julie Grantham as Queensland's Director-General of Education.
2010 : The Queensland Department of Education buy the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre.
The Queensland Department of Education bought the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre for $15m.
The aim was to develop Queensland's young sports stars at visiting Coast camps.
CMC probes sport jobs on Gold Coast, Robyn Wuth, goldcoast.com.au, 16 November 2012 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/11/16/441931_gold-coast-news.html
September 2011 : Julie Grantham writes about her family.
" My husband of 24 years, Neil, is a Physical Education Teacher at Helensvale High School.
We are the proud parents of two wonderful sons.
... Our second son Lachlan is an apprentice carpenter employed by GE Constructions. He is due to complete his course in September of this year."
Julie Grantham, Director-General, Department of Education
https://www.transtasmanbusiness.com/.../eventsportal/?ci...id...Cached
... of Assistant Director-General, School Resourcing and Administration in Education Queensland. When she joined the Department of Justice and Attorney General (JAG) as the Deputy Director- General for ...
- But the link to this page of Transtasman Business Events Portal has now been either changed or entirely removed from the internet.
December 2011 : Julie Grantham held a Christmas party at her home.
Prosecuting barrister David Kent QC told Southport Magistrates Court (on 30 October 2015) that in December 2011, Education Queensland's former director-general Julie Grantham held a Christmas party at her family home.
The Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre managing director David Morgan attended the party.
Former Education Queensland Gold Coast boss Glen Hoppner was also present.
At the party, Julie Grantham allegedly told David Morgan, (also described as the Education Department's Gold Coast director of marketing and operations), that she wanted Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre principal Mark Wingett 'removed'.
And Mark Wingett was transferred.
Julie Grantham's husband Neil, who also worked at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre, later allegedly told David Morgan that he (Neil Grantham) and his wife (Julie Grantham) had met with Hunter Paltridge and felt that he would be the best person to replace Mark Wingett.
(Hunter Paltridge is not accused of any wrongdoing.)
Under examination by defence barrister Saul Holt SC, David Morgan admitted that he had been "acutely concerned" about Ms Grantham's influence.
But he had agreed to meet Hunter Paltridge at the Grantham's home.
David Morgan told the court job applications from Neil Grantham and Hunter Paltridge were both emailed by Julie Grantham via Glen Hoppner.
Glen Hoppner told him that Hunter Paltridge was "the best candidate" for the position.
David Morgan said he had short-listed Hunter Paltridge because he felt "an enormous amount of pressure to do so".
Neil Grantham had also applied for Mark Wingett's job.
But Neil Grantham was not short-listed because David Morgan was concerned about "perception" after Lachlan Grantham's appointment.
24 March 2012 : Labor lost power in Queensland.
On the 24 March 2012 Labor lost power in Queensland.
The LNP won the state election in a landslide.
May 2012 : David Morgan met Mr Paltridge at director-general Julie Grantham's house.
In May 2012, David Morgan had an hour-long meeting with Mr Paltridge about the job at director-general Julie Grantham's house.
Ms Grantham's husband Neil, who also worked at the Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre, was at the meeting.
Neil Grantham had been the one to suggest Mr Paltridge would be interested in the position.
Former Queensland Education boss accused of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, AAP, The Courier-Mail, 7 August, 2017
June 14 2012 : The Runaway Bay Sports Centre appointment panel convener allegedly received a phone call.
The Runaway Bay Sports Centre appointment panel convener David Morgan was handling the appointment of a person to a senior position at the Sports Centre.
Mr Morgan allegedly received a telephone call from Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner.
Mr Hoppner allegedly stressed the importance of hiring Mr Paltridge before an important meeting between Ms Grantham and the head of Gold Coast TAFE, where Mr Paltridge worked.
Hoppner allegedly told him : "You've got to do it now, it's got to occur ... Hunter's the man".
"Hoppner instructed Morgan to appoint (Hunter) Paltridge" police documents state.
"As a result of that call, Morgan wrote in his diary : Glen Hoppner - call- advice not to interview as Julie Grantham has ordered Hunter to be selected ... He's not concerned that others are better qualified."
Former Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner vows to clear over job scandal, Robyn Wuth, The Gold Coast Bulletin, 29 October 2014
Former Queensland Education boss accused of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, AAP, The Courier-Mail, 7 August, 2017
Former Gold Coast Education Queensland boss Glen Hoppner cleared of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, Gold Coast Bulletin, 10 August 2017
15 June 2012 : Julie Grantham allegedly instructed that Hunter Paltridge must be employed.
During a phone call on 15th June, Hoppner allegedly told Mr Morgan again to appoint Mr Paltridge immediately because he was "the man for the job".
The police documents allege that Mr Morgan noted on the shortlistings : "Instruction from Julie Grantham through Glen Hoppner is that he must be employed - no interview and cancel the other interviews, to be handled by Glen's office."
Former Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner vows to clear over job scandal, Robyn Wuth, The Gold Coast Bulletin, 29 October 2014
Former Queensland Education boss accused of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, AAP, The Courier-Mail, 7 August, 2017
Former Gold Coast Education Queensland boss Glen Hoppner cleared of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, Gold Coast Bulletin, 10 August 2017
18 June 2012 : Mr Hoppner allegedly rang Mr Morgan again.
The police documents allege that Mr Hoppner again called Mr Morgan "explaining what Ms Grantham wanted and how to handle telling the unsuccessful candidates that there was one outstanding candidate who has been chosen without holding interviews".
Former Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner vows to clear over job scandal, Robyn Wuth, The Gold Coast Bulletin, 29 October 2014
1 November 2012 : Julie Grantham, Queensland's Director-General of Education, resigned her $400,000-a-year job unexpectedly.
16 November 2012 : the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission investigate a whistleblower's allegations concerning the recruitment process for management jobs at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre.
Hoppner suspended during CMC probe, Stephanie Bedo, goldcoast.com.au, 21 November 21 2012 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/11/21/442219_gold-coast-news.html
Education director sidelined amid CMC probe, Daniel Hurst, The Bayside Bulletin, The Redland Times, 22 November 2012 : http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/1138871/education-director-sidelined-amid-cmc-probe/
CMC probes sport jobs on Gold Coast, Robyn Wuth, goldcoast.com.au, 16 November 2012 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/11/16/441931_gold-coast-news.html
Education chiefs accused of holding jobs for the boys, Robyn Wuth, P.3, The Courier-Mail, 11 October 2014.
The evening of 20 November 2012 : Southeast Queensland Director of Education Glenn Hoppner is suspended on full pay.
A spokeswoman for Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek refused to comment on the matter.
Assistant director-general for state schooling implementation Mark Campling will act in the role of southeast Queensland regional director.
Hoppner suspended during CMC probe, Stephanie Bedo, goldcoast.com.au, 21 November 21 2012 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/11/21/442219_gold-coast-news.html
30 January 2013 : Glen Hoppner seems to have lost his contract with Education Queensland.
The former Southeast Queensland Director of Education, Glen Hoppner, is understood to have lost his contract with Education Queensland.Hoppner loses contract after CMC probe, Robyn Wuth, 30 January 2013 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/30/446371_gold-coast-news.html
Education sources said Mr Hoppner's annual contract expired in December, and has not been renewed.
Friends of Mr Hoppner told the Bulletin he was devastated by the decision.
Education Queensland refused to comment on Mr Hoppner's employment but confirmed Greg Dickman was currently acting Regional Director, South-East Region.
"Any details around Mr Hoppner's contract as regional director are strictly confidential matters between employer and employee," said a spokesman.
"Out of respect for Mr Hoppner's privacy, the department will not be providing any further details about this specific matter.
"Suspension with pay is a legal entitlement and ensures our staff are treated fairly, professionally and with respect.
"Natural justice must be applied."
Hoppner loses contract after CMC probe, Robyn Wuth, 30 January 2013 : http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/30/446371_gold-coast-news.html
September 2014
Julie Grantham seemed to be working as Managing Director, Schools for 'Good to Great Schools', 'leading the delivery of schools and systems partnerships across Australia'.
http://www.goodtogreatschools.org.au/ABOUT/our-people
- But the link to Julie Grantham's page of the 'Good to Great Schools' website has now been either changed or entirely removed from the internet.
11 October 2014 : Julie Grantham and Glen Hoppner face up to seven years' jail if found guilty.
After a 23-month investigation, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission has charged former Education Queensland director-general Julie Grantham and former Southeast Queensland Director of Education Glen Hoppner with abuse of office.
They face a maximum seven years' jail if found guilty.
Ms Grantham has been cleared over the appointment of her husband Neil as manager of the Runaway Bay Sports Centre.
The CCC probed alleged irregularities in the recruitment process at the sports centre.
Education Queensland refused to say why Ms Grantham was allowed to resign or what her payout was.
Education Queensland also refused to reveal the employment status of Mr Hoppner, who has been suspended on full pay for about two years.
Julie Grantham will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court in early November 2014 on one charge of misconduct in relation to public office.
Glen Hoppner will face similar charges in the Southport Magistrates Court at the end of October 2014.
Education chiefs accused of holding jobs for the boys, Robyn Wuth, P. 3, The Courier-Mail, 11 October 2014
Two Queensland bureaucrats charged with misconduct after two-year CCC investigation, Andree Withey, ABC, 15 October 2914
3 November 2014 : Julie Grantham does not enter a plea.
Julie Grantham appeared in court charged with misconduct over the hiring of departmental staff.
Ms Grantham was charged with misconduct in relation to public office.
Ms Grantham did not enter a plea.
She was granted bail and her case was adjourned till December 8 2014.
Ex education chief faces nepotism claims, AAP, The Australian 4 November 2014
28 October 2014 : Glen Hoppner vows to defend his innocence.
Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner faced a Southport court today.
Allegations had been made that he and Julie Grantham gave plum jobs at the Runaway Bay Sports Centre to Hunter Paltridge who was in a relationship with Ms Grantham's cousin.
Outside court Mr Hoppner vowed to defend his innocence.
"I have been charged. I have been co-operating fully, and I very much look forward to the opportunity to defend this case and prove my innocence - as simple as that," he said.
Mr Hoppner has retained leading criminal lawyer Bill Potts, of Potts Lawyers, who said it had been stressful period for his client.
Police documents allege Mr Hoppner and Ms Grantham personally and deliberately intervened several times in the selection of Mr Paltridge to a senior position at the centre.
Mr Hoppner's case was adjourned until 23 January 2015.
Former Gold Coast Education boss Glen Hoppner vows to clear over job scandal, Robyn Wuth, The Gold Coast Bulletin, 29 October 2014
31 January 2015 : Labor was returned to power in Queensland.
On 31 January 2015 the Labor party won the state election and was returned to power in Queensland.
29 October 2015 : Glen Hoppner faces a committal hearing in Southport Magistrate's Court.
Former Education Queensland Gold Coast boss Glenn Hoppner is facing a committal hearing in Southport Magistrate's Court charged with one count of misconduct in public office.
Former Education Queensland director-general Julie Grantham has already been committed to stand trial after a Crime and Corruption Commission probe into the hiring of her son Lachlan and family friend Hunter Paltridge for lucrative jobs at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre.
Prosecuting barrister David Kent QC told Southport Magistrates Court that in December 2011, Julie Grantham had a Christmas party at her family home.
Glenn Hoppner, David Morgan and others were invited to the party.
At the party, Julie Grantham told David Morgan, the Education Department's Gold Coast director of marketing and operations, that she wanted Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre principal Mark Wingett 'removed'.
And Mark Wingett was later transferred.
The court was told that Hunter Paltridge, 'a person known to Ms Grantham', submitted a late application for Mr Wingett's job.
Mr Paltridge was short-listed by a selection panel headed by David Morgan.
Mr Paltridge finished equal fifth on the shortlist of candidates.
Education Queensland's former Gold Coast boss Glen Hoppner instructed David Morgan to employ Mr Paltridge and to advise the other candidates that they had missed out.
Five witnesses are expected to be called at the two-day committal hearing.
If convicted, Hoppner and Grantham face up to seven years' jail.
1 December 2015 : Julie Grantham pleads guilty.
Julie Grantham, 60, appeared in Brisbane District Court on 1 December 2015.
She was formally arraigned, admitting abusing her office by landing her son Lachlan a job at the Runaway Bay Sports Centre, where her husband also worked.
She pleaded guilty to a charge of abusing her public service office for gain.
The maximum sentence for this charge is three years' jail.
"You betrayed the trust placed in you as director-general, this is a serious example of nepotism and was brazenly and flagrantly effective," Judge Terry Martin told Grantham.
"You used your position to effectively give a direction to appoint your son to a position newly created by you on a temporary basis on a salary of over $61,000 a year."
Grantham agreed to repay $17,000 to the Queensland government, to cover the salary paid to her son.
Judge Martin said Grantham had advantaged her son at the expense of other potential applicants for the job.
1 December 2015 : the Crime and Corruption Commission Chairman's statement concerning the court outcome.
CCC Chairman Statement - 1.12.2015
Following a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigation, a former Director-General pleaded guilty today in the Brisbane District Court to the criminal charge of Abuse of Office in relation to the employment of a family member in her department.
Julie Grantham was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, which was wholly suspended, and ordered to repay $17,000 to the Queensland Government.
The CCC has said in the past that the public sector has obligations to the Queensland public to act with integrity and to make transparent and accountable decisions.
Where those decisions relate to employment it is vital that they are based on merit and equity.
Setting a high standard for the behaviour of public servants must start at the top of every public sector agency.
Today’s court outcome demonstrates that even the most senior of people working in the public sector are not immune from criminal prosecution when their behaviour deviates from an obligation to act with integrity and to serve the public interest.
I will be writing to every Director-General and Chief Executive Officer in Queensland public sector departments and agencies reminding them of the importance in setting a very high benchmark for transparent and ethical behaviour in their organisations.
AJ MacSporran QC
CCC Chairman
February 2016 : The Glen Hoppner case has been adjourned until this date.
Monday 7 August 2017 : Glen Hoppner stood trial in the Brisbane District court.
Prosecutor Jacob Robson argued in the Brisbane District Court that Glen Hoppner had put "unspoken pressure" on David Morgan, the managing director of the Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre, to appoint Hunter Paltridge as Head of Programs in June 2012.
The job was a six-month position that had been internally advertised as an "expression of interest".
Mr Paltridge had met Mr Morgan at director-general Ms Grantham's house to discuss the job.
Mr Paltridge's application was later submitted past deadline via an email chain from the director-general and Mr Hoppner.
Mr Morgan said he shortlisted Mr Paltridge for an interview even though he scored lower on an evaluation matrix than the top candidates.
Mr Hoppner was alleged to have called Mr Morgan to inform him that Ms Grantham was meeting with Mr Paltridge's boss and that "(Hunter) is the man, it's got to go".
"I caved in to that pressure,"Mr Morgan said on Tuesday 8 August.
But under cross-examination from defence barrister Saul Holt QC, Mr Morgan conceded his interpretation of the conversation may have been "substantially clouded" by his concern about Ms Grantham's influence on the hiring process.
"You have inferred and interpreted unfairly the suggestion that he directed you to appoint Hunter Paltridge," Mr Holt said.
"That's reasonably possible," Mr Morgan replied.
The court heard that, because of his position, Mr Hoppner could have appointed someone as Head of Programs at any time.
Former Queensland Education boss accused of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, AAP, The Courier-Mail, 7 August, 2017
Glen Hoppner has won his battle to clear his name.
The prosecution abandoned its case.
Former Queensland Education boss accused of misconduct, Sarah Motherwell, AAP, The Courier-Mail, 7 August, 2017
The Runaway Bay story is already in the public domain. I have just put the story in time-order.
I should make clear that I only know what is in the public domain.
And that at this stage, these are just allegations.
If you would prefer your name to be removed from this page, or if you feel that your story has not been properly represented - just email cosser(at)optusnet.com.au
