Top bureaucrats received hundreds of thousands in severance as front-line staff faced cuts
Federal annual reports show a stark divide. Senior executives received massive severance packages. Meanwhile, thousands of front-line staff accepted modest redundancy offers.
A Canberra Times analysis of 2025-26 annual reports revealed a stark divide in government redundancy outcomes. Former Agriculture department secretary Adam Fennessy received $899,620 in termination benefits.
Fennessy's total payout came to about $1.18 million. Former Employment secretary Natalie James was sacked in January 2026.
She received $828,980 in severance. Deputy secretary Tess Bishop got $365,935 in termination benefits.
The Agriculture department saw big changes in separation costs. These jumped more than sixfold from $1.77 million to $11.43 million.
At the Reserve Bank, one unnamed senior executive received $575,768 in termination benefit. NBN Co's former chief operating officer John Parkin walked away with $446,000.
He also got $225,196 in leave entitlements. An Agriculture spokesperson said all payments followed the Public Service Act 1999.
At the same time, thousands of front-line public servants faced different choices. Some were offered modest packages.
Others were asked to do more with fewer resources.
- $899,620
- Fennessy termination benefits
- $1.77M to $11.43M
- Agriculture dept separation surge
Why it mattersIt shows how taxpayer money is used differently across government. Senior executives get generous payments when they leave while ordinary public sector workers get squeezed instead.
AustraliaAustralian taxpayers funding hundreds of millions in executive severance while public services shrink.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 5 h ago
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