Powerhouse opens Saturday without suspended chief executive Lisa Havilah
The Powerhouse museum opens Saturday. Its suspended chief executive Lisa Havilah will not be there. Governance concerns have gone to ICAC.
Sydney's largest cultural investment in more than half a century opens to the public on Saturday, but without its chief architect. Lisa Havilah, the museum's chief executive, was suspended on August 27.
Havilah is being investigated into governance and buying practices. The board sent conflict-of-interest matters to ICAC.
They are checking a $2 million marketing contract given to Ki Community. Ki Community was the only bidder in a selective tender process.
Havilah hired a lawyer and says she did nothing wrong. She says she kept the highest standards of integrity in her role.
An arts group petition with almost 800 signatures called for her to come back to work. The museum now faces pressure from Treasury about exhibition costs.
Five shows are expected to cost more than $70 million.
- over 50 years
- Largest NSW cultural investment
- August 27
- Suspension date
- 2 million dollars
- Ki Community contract value
- almost 800
- Petition signatures
Why it mattersThis raises questions about watching over major public projects. It shows whether spending and contracts were handled properly and whether there was real accountability.
AustraliaAustralians visiting the new cultural landmark will do so amid governance controversy, highlighting scrutiny over how large public projects are administered.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 18 h ago
