The NSW children’s guardian has stepped aside while “serious and disturbing allegations” are investigated as part of an independent inquiry.
The guardian, Stephen Kinmond, agreed to step aside from his role as the state’s child safety watchdog after the allegations, the NSW government confirmed on Friday night.
“These allegations are serious and disturbing,” the minister for families and communities, Kate Washington, said in a statement to Guardian Australia.
“The staff at the office of the children’s guardian are entrusted with keeping vulnerable kids safe. They also have a right to feel safe in their own workplace.
“I will be establishing an urgent independent inquiry.”
The exact nature of the allegations is unclear.
“The children’s guardian has agreed to step aside for the duration of the inquiry, which is appropriate,” Washington said.
Kinmond told Guardian Australia that he welcomed the inquiry but was not aware what serious allegations had been directed at him.
He said Washington raised an issue with him earlier this week “but the nexus between the issues she raised and my conduct are not known to me”.
“I know about a particular matter that was raised, I don’t know what particular inferences have been drawn from that conduct about my individual behaviour,” he said.
“I don’t wish to in any way minimise the concerns that have been raised … but I need further and better particulars before I can make further comment.”
He said Washington told him the investigation would be conducted by “someone external who is well qualified to examine the matter”.
“The public has a right to know there’s rigour in this process,” Kinmond said.
“All I can say is from where I sit I’m very supportive of there being an inquiry.
“I’m very keen to be acting in the public interest … and I support the minister’s right to make that decision.”
Kinmond was appointed in 2022 after the former Perrottet government sidelined an independent recruitment process. Guardian Australia reported he had not even formally applied for the $400,000-a-year position before he was appointed.
He is the former chief executive of the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies and has also served as a NSW deputy ombudsman.
