Pesticides authority boss and chair resign, after inquiry triggered by APVMA worker who allegedly urinated on colleagues

 The board chair and CEO of Australia's chemical regulator have resigned, as a damning report finds the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) was "captured" by industry interests and subject to regular complaints of misconduct. The APVMA review was commissioned by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt following allegations raised in a Senate inquiry that an employee had urinated on his colleagues following a staff Christmas party.

The reviewer, law firm Clayton UTZ, found complaints of misconduct covered the "entire organisation" and were made by and about employees at all levels of the pesticides authority.

"There were clearly cultural issues with the organisation given that on average there was a formal complaint about once every 4-6 weeks for 5 years," Clayton.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-14/apvma-pesticides-urination-review-delivered/102597720