Operation Kingfisher

Operation Kingfisher is an investigation into whether public officials within the ACT Education Directorate failed to exercise their official functions honestly and/or impartially when making recommendations and decisions regarding the Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project between 2019 and 2020.

As announced on 2 August 2023, the Commission first held an examination in public into Operation Kingfisher on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th August 2023. Three further days of examinations were held in early September, with another three held in late September 2023. The most recent tranche of examinations commenced on Monday 4th December and concluded on Thursday 7th December 2023. Further information can be found in the Commission's media release.

Witness Lists

In accordance with the Standard Directions for Public Examinations, the Commission will regularly publish on this page a list of witnesses proposed to be called each day of the public examination.

Monday 4 December - Thursday 7 December 2023

• Katy Haire – Director-General, ACT Education Directorate (December 2019 – present)
• Hon Yvette Berry MLA - Minister for Education and Youth Affairs (November 2020 – current)
• Mr David Matthews – Executive Group Manager, Business Services, ACT Education Directorate (February 2018 – February 2020) and Deputy Director-General, ACT Education Directorate (February 2020 – September 2021)
• Ms Kelly Young – Senior Projects Manager, Major Projects Canberra (from 2016- present)
• Mr John Green (a pseudonym)

Friday 29 September 2023

• Katy Haire - Director-General, ACT Education Directorate (December 2019 – present)

Thursday 28 September 2023

• Mark Bauer - CEO and General Manager of Manteena Group (General Manager: 2003 – current; CEO: 2021 – current)
• Dylan Blom - Senior Director for Education and Major Projects, ACT Education Directorate (2019 – current)
• Duncan Edghill – Director-General, Chief Projects Officer, Major Projects Canberra (1 July 2019 to 31 January 2023)
• Katy Haire – Director-General, ACT Education Directorate (December 2019 – present)

Wednesday 27 September 2023

• Mark Bauer - CEO and General Manager of Manteena Group (General Manager: 2003 – current; CEO: 2021 – current)
• Dylan Blom - Senior Director for Education and Major Projects, ACT Education Directorate (2019 – current)

Friday 8 September 2023

• Hon Yvette Berry MLA - Minister for Education and Youth Affairs (November 2020 – current)
• Rebecca Cross -  Acting Director-General, ACT Education Directorate (21 February 2020 to 12 March 2020)

Thursday 7 September 2023

• John Green (a pseudonym)
• Zachary Smith - Branch Assistant Secretary, ACT Divisional Branch, Construction and General Division, Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (June 2018 to August 2021)
• Jason O'Mara - Secretary, ACT Divisional Branch, Construction and General Division, Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (February 2018 to February 2022)

Wednesday 6 September 2023

• John Green (a pseudonym)

Friday 11 August 2023

• John Green (a pseudonym)

Thursday 10 August 2023

• John Green (a pseudonym)