A senior Queensland government official has been abruptly dismissed from his position following allegations of inappropriate conduct during an overseas government trip, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.
Senior Official Accused of Inappropriate Behaviour
Craig Servin, who served as Executive Director of International Engagement for the Queensland Department of State Development, was terminated from his $270,000-a-year role after claims emerged of misconduct involving a junior female staff member.
The alleged incident occurred during an official government visit to South Korea, where Servin is accused of making inappropriate advances toward the junior colleague.
Internal Investigation Launched
Queensland's Department of State Development has confirmed launching an immediate internal investigation into the matter. A department spokesperson stated: "We can confirm a staff member is no longer employed by the department."
The spokesperson emphasised the department's commitment to maintaining high standards of workplace conduct, adding: "As this is a private employment matter, we will not be providing further comment."
Pattern of Concerning Behaviour
Sources within the department suggest this wasn't an isolated incident, with reports indicating Servin had previously been spoken to about his conduct toward female staff members. The situation reached breaking point following the South Korea trip, prompting senior officials to take decisive action.
The dismissal comes as governments worldwide face increased scrutiny over workplace culture and the treatment of junior staff members, particularly during overseas engagements where professional boundaries can become blurred.
Impact on International Relations
Servin's role involved significant responsibility for Queensland's international trade relationships and engagement strategies. His sudden departure raises questions about potential impacts on ongoing international partnerships and trade discussions the state was pursuing under his leadership.
The Queensland government now faces the dual challenge of addressing internal workplace culture concerns while ensuring continuity in its international engagement efforts during a critical period for global trade relationships.
