ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry Resigns After Corruption Findings Against Staff

ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry has resigned from cabinet after the Integrity Commission made "serious corrupt conduct" findings against two senior public servants in her portfolio.

The Integrity Commission found the former head of the ACT Education Directorate and Ms Berry’s then-chief of staff "dishonestly provided a back door" for the strategic interests of the Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) in a multi-million-dollar contract to revamp Campbell Primary School.

In a statement, Ms Berry said while the commission made no findings against her, she had decided to resign from her position.

"I spoke to the Chief Minister a moment ago to let him know. I will sit on the backbench and continue to serve the people of Ginninderra," she said.

Ms Berry said she took "full responsibility" for the finding made about her staff.

"I have made this decision because I don't want a parliamentary public circus to follow this report.

"I leave this role with my integrity and my moral compass intact and look forward to continuing to achieve more wins for a more equitable Canberra."

Ms Berry's former chief of staff Joshua Ceramidas issued a statement earlier today in which he rejected the commission's findings.

He also alleged the published report differed from what was originally made available to him.

"I reject the findings made by the commission and regard its conduct throughout the investigation as requiring external scrutiny," the statement read.

"The commission declined to provide me with any information about any amendments made in response to my comments on the proposed report before its release to the media.

"I am reviewing the report and not in a position to comment further."

In a statement, ACT Policing confirmed it had received correspondence about the Integrity Commission's report, and said it was currently considering that information.

Findings 'deeply concerning': Chief Minister

Following the announcement of Ms Berry's resignation, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr apologised to Canberrans "let down" by the serious corruption findings, which he described as "deeply concerning".

"The commission has cleared Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry of any involvement in, or wrongdoing relating to, the matters examined, making no criticism, adverse findings or comments regarding the minister's conduct," Mr Barr said in a statement.

"In light of the commission’s findings about her former chief of staff, I have accepted [Ms Berry’s] resignation as a minister. "

Mr Barr said he felt for Ms Berry, and acknowledged it had been a "difficult period".

"I'm certainly very disappointed and very sad for the Deputy Chief Minister," he said.

Mr Barr said the commission's findings had "one very clear message" for both ministers and their staff: "they have no role in the procurement process".

"In relation to procurement matters … I don't want ministers involved in active procurements, so I would've had no expectation that a minister was down in the weeds of any particular procurement," he said.

"A minister's role is to make a determination as to whether an infrastructure project will be part of the budget, then from that point it sits with the public service."

Mr Barr said the Labor caucus would meet early next week before an announcement on the redistribution of Ms Berry’s portfolios.

Ms Berry has been Deputy Chief Minister since 2016, and has been considered a potential successor to Andrew Barr as Chief Minister.

Along with the education and early childhood portfolios, she's also housing minister and minister for sport and recreation.