The state opposition has called on the government to apologise to former district agronomist Paul Parker for its aggressive response to comments he made to The Young Witness.
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Mr Parker made the comments in relation to state budget cuts which were published in June 2012.
This comes after documents containing all correspondence regarding a Department of Primary Industries investigation of Mr Parker were released last week.
In a speech delivered to parliament Wednesday night, shadow minister for rural and regional affairs Mick Veitch said Mr Parker deserved a written apology from Primary Industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson.
“After 43 years as a distinguished public servant of NSW governments of both persuasions, Mr Parker simply deserves an apology,” Mr Veitch said.
“He deserves no less after the outrageous treatment to which he was subjected,” he said.
Mr Veitch told parliament Mr Parker was a valued member of the Young community and well-respected and highly regarded public servant.
He said it was unfortunate his last months with the DPI before his retirement were not that enjoyable.
Paul Parker said yesterday he welcomed Mr Veitch’s speech.
“All I’ve ever wanted is an acknowledgement that their whole approach was heavy handed and unnecessary,” he said.
Mr Parker said this was relevant in light of the fact DPI media advisors had initially told him to not speak out against the department again.
He had thought that was where it had ended, but a month later he received a letter informing him of an investigation.
After going through the released documents himself, he said he still can’t understand why it was escalated to such a level and where it originated.
“Senior staff seemed to be pushing for the investigation to go ahead,” he said.
When asked by The Witness this week whether she would apologise, Ms Hodgkinson twice refused to answer the question.
“I understand that after more than 40 years working in the public service, Mr Parker has taken a retirement package.”
“I wish him well in his retirement,” was her response via email.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NSW Trade and Investment, Mark Paterson, who oversaw the investigation, yesterday said Mr Parker didn’t deserve an apology.
