A suspended Queensland deputy director-general has been found to have committed misconduct in the appointment of a school principal.

Jeff Hunt was deputy director-general of the Queensland education department when concerns were raised about the selection of a school principal for the new Inner City South State Secondary College.

The state’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) confirmed it was investigating the recruitment process back in 2020. This led deputy premier Jackie Trad to quit cabinet, though she was later cleared of any criminal conduct or “dishonest or corrupt intent”.

It has now been revealed Mr Hunt - who has been suspended with pay since 2020 - has been found guilty of misconduct during a disciplinary probe by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Mr Hunt was found to have “inappropriately” involved himself in the recruitment process for the principal and “overruled” the choice of a selection panel and the authorised delegate who approved that appointment.

“[Mr Hunt] abused the trust and confidence given to him as a senior executive within the department of education,” the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission said in its judgement, which has now been made public.

“On that basis, he concluded that the Appellant had been found guilty of misconduct that is inappropriate or improper conduct in an official capacity within the meaning of s187 of the PS Act.”

Mr Hunt also failed to accurately record reasons for a decision to re-advertise this position. 

“The decision-maker was satisfied [Mr Hunt] had edited and approved a briefing note to the director-general which he knew contained misleading information,” the judgement said.

The Department of Education says it respects the QIRC ruling.