Australian Olympic Committee Media Director cleared of bullying complaints

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Media Director Mike Tancred has been cleared of four complaints after a review by an independent committee.

The complaints, from three former staff and a member of the public, were considered separately to the complaint made by former Chief Executive Fiona de Jong.

Tancred has been suspended since April on full pay over accusations by de Jong that he bullied and intimidated her.

He was cleared of bullying de Jong in June, but was severely reprimanded for his behaviour towards her.

The latest findings come from a an independent committee made up of the former High Court Judge Ian Callinan AC and former NSW Supreme Court Judge Greg James AC QC.

It found that none of the four complaints "had been made on an objective basis".

The complainants, who were not named publicly, released a joint statement on Friday, reiterating their stance that they felt they were bullied by Tancred - a close ally of the AOC President, John Coates

The complainants statement read “we believe most Australians consider threats to kill, bury and otherwise destroy people's reputation or career to be 'bullying' behaviour.

"Nevertheless we acknowledge the Independent Panel was acting in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the AOC and were limited to the five cases brought before them by people brave enough to step up and tell their story.

"Whether characterised as 'bullying' or otherwise, Mr Tancred's 'appalling' behaviour (by his admission) is entirely inconsistent with the standards expected of a senior management and contrary to the values of the AOC and Olympic movement.

"His words and actions have hurt people, destroyed careers and resulted in many good people leaving the AOC over a period of many years."

The future of Tancred, who remains stood down from the organisation while retaining his $330,000 a year salary, now rests with current AOC Chief Executive, Matt Carroll.

If he stays in post he will earn a $125,000 bonus in 2020.

Complaints about Tancred began to emerge during the bitter AOC election campaign between Coates and the Australian Sports Commission’s Danni Roche this year.

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