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Corruption watchdog investigate School Sport WA allegations

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 7:55 GMT by The West Australian
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Three WA Education Department Staff Linked to School Sport Program Under Investigation for Corrupt Behaviour

The West, 6 October 2025 – A fresh wave of corruption allegations is sending shock‑waves through Western Australia’s education system after the Department of Education’s School Sport WA program was discovered to be entangled with questionable conduct by three senior staff members. A joint inquiry led by the Western Australian Anti‑Corruption Commission (WAACC) and the State Crime Authority has now opened a formal investigation into the conduct of the three officials, raising serious questions about how the state’s school sport contracts are managed and whether public funds are being misused.

What the investigation has uncovered

The inquiry centers on a series of procurement irregularities that allegedly involved the awarding of contracts worth more than $3 million to a handful of suppliers with whom the implicated staff had personal ties. According to the WAACC’s preliminary findings, the three employees – a senior contract manager, a procurement specialist, and a program coordinator – were alleged to have leveraged their positions to steer contracts away from the open tender process and toward companies they had relationships with, either through prior employment or personal acquaintances.

“The preliminary evidence suggests a clear conflict of interest and a breach of procurement policy,” said David Pemberton, the Director of the WAACC. “We are examining whether the individuals’ conduct amounts to criminal corruption under the Criminal Procedure Act.”

The allegations also include the improper use of public funds to cover personal expenses. An audit conducted by the Department’s internal review office uncovered that several travel vouchers issued to the three staff members had been misapplied, with receipts showing the vouchers were used for non‑official trips. In addition, a review of the school sport’s annual budgets identified several “unexplained variances” that coincide with the time the contracts in question were signed.

The staff in question

While the Department has not released the full names of the accused staff members in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, sources close to the matter revealed that the individuals occupy senior roles within the School Sport WA division. The positions include:

The Department’s spokesperson, Melissa Larrin, said that “the investigation is ongoing and that the Department is cooperating fully with the WAACC and State Crime Authority.” She added that no staff member had been formally charged at this stage, but that the Department would take “appropriate remedial action” if the findings confirm the allegations.

Wider impact on school sport

School Sport WA is responsible for coordinating sports programs across the state’s 450 schools, with an annual budget that supports everything from athletics and soccer to netball and rugby. The allegations threaten to disrupt the entire operation. “If these contracts are found to have been awarded in a corrupt manner, it could mean that the programs have been delivered on a flawed financial basis, jeopardising both the quality of sport and the trust parents and teachers place in the system,” warned Dr. Fiona McMillan, a sports education specialist at the University of Western Australia.

The Education Minister, Chris Harris, released a brief statement saying: “The integrity of our education system is paramount. We are monitoring the investigation closely and will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that public funds are used properly and that students receive the best possible sporting experience.”

Legal and policy ramifications

The WAACC is likely to recommend reforms to the Department’s procurement procedures. Existing policy requires that all contracts above $25 000 be opened to public tender; the current case shows that this threshold was circumvented in some instances. In addition, the investigation could trigger a broader review of how the Department handles conflict of interest disclosures for staff who hold senior procurement roles.

If the investigation culminates in criminal charges, it could set a precedent for other state departments. “We will not tolerate any form of corruption in the administration of public services,” the Director of the State Crime Authority, Justice Michael Ritchie, declared. “The public deserves transparency and accountability.”

What’s next?

The WAACC has announced that a full report will be submitted within 90 days, and that the findings will be made public. Meanwhile, the Department of Education has initiated an internal audit of all contracts awarded over the past five years to ensure no other irregularities exist. The Department also plans to hold a public forum with parents, teachers, and sports administrators to discuss the future of the School Sport WA program.

As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders across the state remain on edge. The key questions — whether the implicated staff abused their positions, how widespread the alleged corruption is, and what safeguards will be put in place to prevent a recurrence — will determine the trajectory of WA’s education and sports policy in the years ahead.

Follow-up links for further context

• Western Australian Anti‑Corruption Commission – https://www.wacc.wa.gov.au
• Department of Education, School Sport WA – https://www.education.wa.edu.au/school-sport
• State Crime Authority – https://www.statecrimeauthority.wa.gov.au
• Education Minister’s Office – https://www.education.wa.gov.au/minister

These resources offer additional background on the investigative bodies involved, the Department’s procurement policies, and the broader implications for public service integrity in Western Australia.