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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Investigation into Powerhouse Parramatta museum begins as interim leader takes over

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • New South Wales authorities are investigating misconduct allegations involving senior executives at the $915 million Powerhouse Parramatta museum.
  • Chief executive Lisa Havilah has stepped aside, while chief operating officer Mark Wilsdon is on leave and assisting the investigation.
  • The government appointed Abbie Galvin as interim chief executive and said the museum should still open on November 7.

The planned Powerhouse Parramatta museum is facing a misconduct investigation before its scheduled opening, after chief executive Lisa Havilah stepped aside over fresh allegations involving governance and procurement.

The $915 million museum in western Sydney is due to open on November 7. New South Wales Arts Minister John Graham said allegations had been put to several executives during a formal investigation. Chief operating officer Mark Wilsdon is on leave and is providing substantial information to investigators.

The idea that two of the senior executives were working through this process, this detailed process, and could also make sure that went smoothly was really starting to become unsustainable

— John GrahamThe NSW arts minister explained why senior executives could not continue in their roles during the investigation.

NSW government architect Abbie Galvin will serve as interim chief executive, while former Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron will act as a strategic adviser. Both are due to begin on Tuesday. Department of Creative Industries secretary Melanie Hawyes cautioned that the temporary leadership changes did not represent a sanction or finding against Havilah.

“These allegations that have come to light need to be tested, and that is what this investigation will do,” Hawyes told a budget estimates hearing. An initial probe began in March 2025 after a whistleblower complaint, and the state anti-corruption commission was notified. A formal misconduct investigation began in December.

These allegations that have come to light need to be tested, and that is what this investigation will do

— Melanie HawyesThe department secretary said the interim appointments should not be treated as a finding against the executives.

The procurement deals under scrutiny were worth less than $6 million, the limit Havilah could approve without ministerial sign-off. Spending under her leadership included at least $1.7 million for a documentary about the museum, about $5 million in marketing and $333,500 for interior design at staff accommodation. A separate Treasury review is examining the museum’s operating budget, but Hawyes said it is unrelated to the allegations.

Graham defended the government’s handling of the project and said the board, including chair David Borger, was not subject to the allegations. He described the museum as “the Opera House of the west” and said it would open as planned.

the Opera House of the west

— John GrahamThe NSW arts minister used the phrase to describe the museum project.
About this summary

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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