On 26 April 2017 the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Executive resolved to delegate the determination of a complaint made by Ms Fiona de Jong regarding the alleged conduct of Mr Mike Tancred to an Independent Committee.
On 1 May 2017, two former High Court Judges, The Honourable Ian Callinan AC and The Honourable Susan Crennan AC QC, together with former Supreme Court Judge, The Honourable Greg James AM QC, were formally appointed by the AOC Executive as the Independent Committee.
The terms of the Independent Committee's appointment were that within one month of their appointment, a determination in respect of Ms de Jong's complaint was to be made. The Independent Committee was to determine Ms de Jong's complaint in their sole and absolute discretion on such material and in such manner as they saw fit, subject to affording the parties natural justice.
In the complaint, Ms de Jong alleged that Mr Tancred had behaved in a manner which constituted 'bullying' pursuant to clause 2.2 (4) of the AOC Ethical Behaviour By-Law (By law) and amounted to disreputable conduct in breach of the By-Law at clause 3.4 (1).
The Independent Committee has now handed down its determination in relation to the complaint made by Ms de Jong. The process and the determination are strictly confidential.
The findings determined by the Independent Committee are that:
1 The conduct in question does not rise to the level of 'bullying' because it was not repetitive conduct against Ms de Jong as required by clause 2.2(4) of the By-Law.
2 Mr Tancred's conduct amounted to disreputable conduct in breach of clause 3.4(1) of the By-Law.
The sanction determined by the Independent Committee is that Mr Tancred be severely reprimanded for his conduct, which will form part of his employment record.
The Independent Committee will continue investigations into separate complaints which have been made by other persons against Mr Tancred, but without the participation of Mrs Crennan who will be unavailable during that time.
The AOC has committed to an independent review into workplace practices to ensure the best possible environment for our staff.
The AOC continues to support an environment free from discrimination, harassment and bullying and will not tolerate behaviours that differ from this standard.
