A Fair Work Commission official once censured over sexy figurines displayed in his office has been accused of letting off firecrackers at a work Christmas party.

At a Senate Estimates session this week, Comcare chief executive Sue Weston said Fair Work Commission deputy president Gerard Boyce is being investigated over the alleged firecracker incident, which the commission had claimed occurred at an “unofficial function”. It has given no more details on the nature or the context of the allegations.

“We have an ongoing and progressing inquiry in relation to compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act,” Ms Weston said.

“The inquiry will progress and will be concluded and at some point in time there will be some findings.”

It is not the first time Mr Boyce’s conduct has been questioned in such sessions. 

Last year, it was revealed that Mr Boyce - a former barrister and Australian Mines and Metals Association NSW manager - kept a collection of “scantily-clad” figurines and a fake surveillance camera in his offices. 

He is reported to have removed his collection of around 20 figurines, which have been variously described as Japanese anime-style collectibles with stylistically enlarged body parts, often in sexually suggestive clothing or poses. 

This week, NSW Labor Senator Deborah O'Neill quizzed Comcare and Fair Work Commission officials about the conduct. 

“You would think there would be a requirement to undertake some training,” she said of the issue with the figurines last year.

Senator O’Neill also questioned some of Mr Boyce’s professional decisions, including on a matter relating to workers at fast food chain Hungry Jack's. That decision ended up being slammed by a full bench of the Fair Work Commission.

“They found that he hadn't even read all of the submissions when he held that the fast food deal left 16,000 workers better off than the industry minimum … that's another shocker from Mr Boyce,” Senator O'Neill said.

Mr Boyce and other government workers in statutory roles are offered lifelong tenure, and can only be sacked by the Governor-General.

“He signed up for a job, I believe he must be about 48 years old, he has 17 years remaining in the role,” Senator O'Neill said.

“He would've received the members' conduct guide, the principles that apply to him are very clear, to uphold public confidence in the commission and the administration of justice.

“He's failed on every single one of those in my view.”