ATO - Decision-making process regarding Mr O'Neill's role

Question

Senator BARBARA POCOCK: I've heard all of that before. I actually want to know where this decision originated, and you're clearly not going to answer that. Mr Heferen, it's clear you made the decision. You've told me that. Can you please confirm whether you initiated the discussion, when the decision was made and when it was first communicated with Mr O'Neill? Mr Heferen: What were the three things, sorry? Senator BARBARA POCOCK: Whether you initiated the discussion, when the decision was made and when it was first communicated to Mr O'Neill. Mr Heferen: To give you a complete answer, I'd have to take it on notice. Senator BARBARA POCOCK: Okay. Thank you. Before you had any discussion with Mr O'Neill, had you previously discussed with him when he might move into another role? Mr Heferen: I'm just trying to check my memory, which at my age is flawed. I'd have to check, but I certainly had a conversation with Mr O'Neill fairly-it was in the context of the discussion I had with each of my band 2 SES officers, of which Mr O'Neill is one. I had an organised process of talking to each of them about their futures and what they wanted to do when. Senator BARBARA POCOCK: When? Mr Heferen: It went through the calendar year. Senator BARBARA POCOCK: I'll ask you to take it on notice because it's painful to watch you trying to remember. Mr Heferen: Yes, I think that would be wise.

Answer

See attached response.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000467 ATO - Decision-making process regarding Mr O-Neill's role.pdf (opens in a new tab)