The ACT Legislative Assembly’s Estimates Committee has published correspondence from former Greens Minister Emma Davidson detailing allegations that Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has said may involve misconduct on the part of one or more senior public servants. 

The letter from Ms Davidson discloses complaints she made to the Head of Service, Kathy Leigh, in 2022 regarding senior public servants failing to brief her on matters within her portfolio areas — a violation of the administrative arrangements.

During a recent Estimates hearing, Mr Emerson asked the Head of Service if she had received any complaints about senior public servants failing to follow administrative arrangements or appropriate reporting lines, to which the Head of Service repeatedly said “no”.

The allegations suggest the Head of Service may have withheld critical information during an Estimates hearing, which may constitute a contempt of the Assembly. The letter from Ms Davidson also brings into question the conduct of multiple senior public servants.

Mr Emerson said he had referred the matter to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.

“These are serious allegations warranting independent investigation,” Mr Emerson said.

“To hear that, as a Minister, Ms Davidson learned more from the media about a serious matter in her portfolio than from her own directorate is alarming.

“I was surprised that the Committee did not receive a more fulsome response from the Head of Service.

“Ms Leigh’s response says nothing about allegations from a former Minister that a Director-General cancelled meetings with her after she raised concerns about that Director-General’s conduct.

“Ms Leigh repeatedly stated, while under oath, that no concerns had been raised with her regarding senior public servants following appropriate ministerial reporting lines. But that exact concern was raised with her by then-Minister Davidson twice within a six-week period.

“I’ve asked the Public Sector Standards Commissioner to investigate whether these allegations reveal misconduct in the ACTPS Senior Executive Service.

“I’ve also asked the Estimates Committee to consider whether Ms Leigh’s correspondence is sufficient to allay concerns that evidence before the Committee may have constituted a potential contempt of the Assembly.

Mr Emerson said it was the responsibility of all elected representatives to interrogate the integrity of public institutions, and the conduct of people within them.

“The integrity of public institutions is core to their effectiveness,” Mr Emerson said.

“These allegations risk undermining public trust in the ACT Government and in our democratic institutions, and should be appropriately investigated.”

Media Enquiries: Will Devine at [email protected] or 0402 183 296.

Background:

A transcript of Mr Emerson’s questioning of the Head of Service during Estimates (29 July 2025) can be found here (pp. 671-674).

Ms Davidson’s letter to the Chief Minister (6 August 2025) can be found here. 

Mr Emerson’s letter to the Estimates Committee (11 August 2025) can be found here. 

Ms Leigh’s response to the Estimates Committee (18 August 2025) can be found here.