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A high-profile public servant who was found to have engaged in “serious and concerning conduct” in a corruption investigation has left his position, as Premier Ben Carroll continues cleaning out Daniel Andrews-era staff.
Carroll confirmed on Friday that Tony Bates was no longer secretary of the Department of Education and would be leaving the public service. A process is under way to appoint his replacement.
Bates took a leave of absence after an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) found he had, at the behest of then-premier Andrews and special minister of state Gavin Jennings, negotiated a closed-door pay deal with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall without the knowledge of the CFA or the emergency services minister.
The report found that by excluding the relevant minister, CFA and other parts of government from striking the deal, Bates – as well as Jennings and Andrews – behaved contrary to “government policy, procedures, convention and their respective codes of conduct”.
Carroll said on Friday that Bates’ behaviour was unbecoming.
“I read the IBAC Operation Richmond back to front, and I made it very clear that integrity is non-negotiable and a deal essentially was done behind a minister’s back,” Carroll said.
“I thought it was inappropriate for the EBA [enterprise bargaining agreement] to be … done behind the line minister’s back.”
Bates’ exit follows the departure of other key public servants since Carroll took over from Jacinta Allan in late July.
Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet Jeremi Moule was removed from his post within days of Carroll’s ascension, replaced by Treasury head Chris Barrett.
Last week, the premier announced Department of Transport and Planning secretary Jerone Weimar would also leave his position. Weimar, once the state’s COVID commander, became perhaps Victoria’s best known public servant when appearing alongside Andrews at daily pandemic press conferences.
The state opposition called for Bates to be sacked immediately after the IBAC report was published.
“It’s now on Ben Carroll to demonstrate that integrity is not optional to him. He must sack Tony Bates by 5pm today to demonstrate that he is putting Victorians’ interests ahead of his own and his government’s interests,” Wilson said at the time.
Bates has served as secretary of the Department of Education since August 2025, and has worked in the Victorian public service since joining as a policy advisor in 1992, according to his LinkedIn profile.
In announcing his appointment last year, before the release of IBAC’s report, then-premier Jacinta Allan said he would lead the department with “expertise and dedication”.
“I congratulate Tony on his appointment and look forward to their new leadership and expertise driving the Department of Education forward,” Allan said.
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Angus Delaney is a state political reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.From our partners
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