Ex-ACT staffer no longer employed after corruption finding

Public service termination confirmed amid Federal Court challenge

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

A former top ministerial staffer found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct is no longer employed by the ACT public service, the acting head of the territory's public service has confirmed, following findings from the ACT Integrity Commission.

The acting head of the ACT public service, Russ Campbell, confirmed on Wednesday that Joshua Ceramidas, a former chief of staff to then deputy chief minister Yvette Berry, is no longer a territory employee. Campbell said in a statement, 'It is not appropriate to comment further because of pending legal proceedings relating to his employment.' Ceramidas was found by the ACT Integrity Commission to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by dishonestly prioritising the interests of a major union in a tender process for a public primary school upgrade six years ago.

Court listings show Ceramidas has launched action against the Integrity Commission in the Federal Court. Attorney-General Tara Cheyne declined to address Ceramidas' employment status in parliament, stating it 'would set an extraordinary precedent for any person in this place to be commenting on an individual's employment arrangements.'

The government's formal response to the corruption report said the public service had taken preliminary assessments and referrals to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner. The Integrity Commission also found former Education Directorate head Katy Haire engaged in serious corrupt conduct; she resigned in 2024. The report noted Ceramidas' actions could constitute criminal offences, including abusing public office and conspiracy to defraud. No findings were made against Berry, who resigned from cabinet after the report's release.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case underscores the importance of integrity in public procurement and accountability of ministerial staff.
It tests the effectiveness of the ACT Integrity Commission and the government's response to corruption findings.
The legal challenge could influence future anti-corruption investigations.

Background

The ACT Integrity Commission's Operation Kingfisher report, released in July 2026, found that Ceramidas and Haire engaged in serious corrupt conduct in a tender process for a school upgrade six years ago. The government has since taken preliminary assessments. Berry resigned from cabinet after the report's release, and Haire resigned from her post in 2024. The commission noted Ceramidas' actions could constitute criminal offences.

Key Perspectives

ACT Government: Officials confirmed Ceramidas' termination and emphasised adherence to legal procedures. Attorney-General Cheyne highlighted the need to avoid commenting on individual employment. Joshua Ceramidas: Is challenging the Integrity Commission's findings through Federal Court proceedings. ACT Opposition: Raised questions in the Legislative Assembly about the employment status of Ceramidas. Integrity Commission: The report detailed serious misconduct and potential criminal offenses.

What to Watch

The Federal Court proceedings initiated by Ceramidas.
Further investigations by the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.
Any updates on the government's implementation of the report's recommendations.

Sources

ACTPS confirms ex-staffer no longer employed after corruption finding · The Canberra Times - News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe former ACT staffer is no longer employed by the ACT public service after a corruption finding.The Canberra Times - News: “A former top ministerial staffer who was found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct is no longer employed by the ACT public service.”
Partly supportedThe public service confirmed the staffer’s termination amid a Federal Court challenge.The Canberra Times - News: “The acting head of the ACT public service, Russ Campbell, on Wednesday confirmed Mr Ceramidas was no longer a territory employee. Court listings also show Mr Ceramidas ... has launched action against the Integrity Commission in the Federal Court”
SupportedCampbell said, “It is not appropriate to comment further because of pending legal proceedings relating to his employment.”The Canberra Times - News: “"It is not appropriate to comment further because of pending legal proceedings relating to his employment," Mr Campbell said in a statement.”
Partly supportedCheyne said it “would set an extraordinary precedent for any person in this place to be commenting on an individual's employment arrangements.”The Canberra Times - News: “"I'll seek advice ... but I think it would set an extraordinary precedent for any person in this place to be commenting on an individual's employment arrangements," Ms Cheyne said in Legislative Assembly question time on Tuesday.”
SupportedCampbell confirmed on Wednesday that Ceramidas was no longer a territory employee.The Canberra Times - News: “The acting head of the ACT public service, Russ Campbell, on Wednesday confirmed Mr Ceramidas was no longer a territory employee.”
Partly supportedCeramidas was found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by dishonestly prioritising a major union’s interests in a public school tender process six years ago.The Canberra Times - News: “Joshua Ceramidas was found by the ACT Integrity Commission to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by dishonestly providing a backdoor to prioritise the interests of a major union in the tender process for a public primary school upgrade six years ago.”
SupportedCeramidas was chief of staff to then deputy chief minister Yvette Berry.The Canberra Times - News: “Court listings also show Mr Ceramidas, who was chief of staff to then deputy chief minister Yvette Berry, has launched action against the Integrity Commission in the Federal Court”
SupportedCourt listings show Ceramidas has launched action against the Integrity Commission in the Federal Court.The Canberra Times - News: “Court listings also show Mr Ceramidas, who was chief of staff to then deputy chief minister Yvette Berry, has launched action against the Integrity Commission in the Federal Court”
SupportedThe government’s formal response said preliminary assessments and referrals had been made to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.The Canberra Times - News: “"Preliminary Assessments have been taken in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act 1994, Public Sector Management Standards 2016 and relevant Enterprise Agreements. As a result of these assessments several actions have been taken, as well as referrals to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner for further investigation," the response said.”
SupportedThe Integrity Commission found former Education Directorate head Katy Haire engaged in serious corrupt conduct, and she resigned in 2024.The Canberra Times - News: “The commission released its long-awaited Operation Kingfisher report in July, having also found the former head of the Education Directorate, Katy Haire, had engaged in serious corrupt conduct. ... Ms Haire resigned from her post as the director-general of the Education Directorate in 2024.”
SupportedThe report said Ceramidas’ actions could constitute offences including abusing public office and conspiracy to defraud.The Canberra Times - News: “Integrity Commissioner Michael Adams KC's report noted Mr Ceramidas' actions could constitute the offences of abusing public office and conspiracy to defraud.”
SupportedNo findings were made against Berry, who resigned from cabinet after the report’s release.The Canberra Times - News: “The findings prompted Yvette Berry, whom Mr Ceramidas worked for from 2016 before joining the ACT public service, to resign from cabinet . No findings were made against Ms Berry.”