Prior to becoming commissioner, Dini Soulio practised as a private solicitor before holding senior regulatory roles with the Australian Customs Service and Australian Securities & Investments Commission. Photo: ANZSOG.
A cultural review of South Australia’s business regulator, Consumer and Business Services (CBS), has been established by Minister Andrea Michaels.
Earlier this month its new boss Martyn Campbell resigned from the agency (6 September), despite only taking the job in June. He replaced Dini Soulio who became CEO of Super SA.
This week the state’s Business Minister called for the review, following allegations Mr Soulio had sexually harassed staff and oversaw a ‘toxic’ culture at CBS.
The former CBS boss has been suspended from his role at Super SA while Treasury investigates the allegations, with Patrick McAvaney taking over as the acting head.
Minister Michaels said the focus of the review was to ensure the wellbeing of CBS staff.
“My priority is to ensure CBS is best placed to continue to deliver for South Australians, protecting their consumer rights and ensuring businesses are complying with the law,” she said. “While this review is underway, CBS will continue doing this good work for South Australians.”
Business Minister Andrea Michaels addresses a press conference. Photo: Facebook.
The SA Government has called on Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri to oversee the review, while the investigation will be conducted by independent consultant Rossyln Cox.
Mr Soulio told the public in a statement he would cooperate with any investigation the department undertook, but that “it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time”.
When Mr Campbell replaced the former consumer affairs commissioner in June, Minister Michaels congratulated him on the appointment and said she looked forward to working with him.
“He is taking the helm at an important time for the organisation as the State Government continues to make a number of important reforms,” she said.
This included “introducing a new CBS-led taskforce to crack down on illegal tobacco and vape products, as well as progressing the independent investigation into the SkyCity Casino and overseeing the introduction of the most significant reforms to South Australia’s rental laws in a generation”.
