Banksia Hill: Replacement found after sudden departure of Tim Marney from Justice Department

The Department of Justice has recruited a replacement for Tim Marney, following the respected public servant’s sudden departure six months after being appointed to implement a new model of care at Banksia Hill.

Mr Marney, a former mental health commissioner, was appointed by the then-minister Bill Johnston in April to lead reforms at the scandal-plagued youth detention centre, with Mr Johnston describing him as the “architect of youth detention reforms”.

The statement trumpeting Mr Marney’s appointment made no mention of him only serving for six months, but his contract was not renewed at the end of last month.

Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia confirmed Wednesday a replacement from outside the department had been hired to take on Mr Marney’s role, but did not say who.

Mr Papalia has insisted Mr Marney was only ever serving in a temporary role and said that a “senior executive” had been recruited by the Department.

“That’s just normal practice in terms of employing people and I’m sure as soon as that person’s in place, then they’ll be doing the job,” he said.

The Justice Department has so far declined to reveal Mr Marney’s replacement and Mr Marney has himself declined to comment.

Mr Papalia stressed that he, as the minister, was responsible for implementing the model of care, which is said to be rehabilitation-focused, therapeutic and trauma-informed.