In an interview, Andrews said she had observed unease among senior public servants about attempts by Pezzullo to centralise power in his office, poor results in the visa processing system and a “massive” staff morale issue. If she had been returned as minister she would have made some “pretty significant” changes, Andrews said.
Asked if the dysfunction was Pezzullo’s responsibility, Andrews said: “It has to be, simply because he’s the secretary of the department.” Quizzed on whether Home Affairs could operate without him she said: “Well, no one’s indispensable.”