Senior Public Servant Allegedly Caught Trash-Talking New Director-General, Faces Disciplinary Action

A senior public servant in Queensland, Karen Dawson, allegedly made "inappropriate and unprofessional" remarks about the new director-general, Graeme Bolton, and other colleagues on the Microsoft Teams messaging platform and phone calls. Dawson claimed her comments were "private, reactive, and not intended to be disrespectful." However, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission dismissed her appeal, finding that her remarks were a serious breach of professional boundaries and expectations. Dawson will face internal disciplinary action.