Michael Buckley: M+J Builders co-founder arrested, charged
The identities of one of the three Territorians charged with defrauding the Commonwealth Government of up to $71 million has been revealed.
The identity of one the three Territorians charged with defrauding the Commonwealth Government of up to $71 million has been revealed.
The NT News understands co-founder and director of M+J Builders, Michael Buckley, aged 41, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police on Friday, along with a Commonwealth public servant and his wife, both aged in their 40s.
The AFP allege the Commonwealth employee exploited his position to influence the allocation of building contracts to M+J Builders and a subsidiary company that it owned.
The Commonwealth employee’s wife and Mr Buckley are alleged to have been involved in the conspiracy by influencing the awarding of tenders.
The trio were ultimately arrested when multiple search warrants were executed in the greater Darwin region on Friday,
Several businesses and homes swept by the AFP, the Department of Defence and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with investigators seizing mobile phones and laptops which have already been sent for a forensic examination.
Additionally, documentation, jewellery, $30,000 in cash, a firearm and a small quantity of an illicit substance believed to be cocaine, was also seized.
The trio have since been charged with dishonestly gaining a benefit from a Commonwealth entity.
The Commonwealth employee was also charged with a single count of abusing a public office.
They remain in custody, understood to be in NT Police cells, and are expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday, November 17.
The operation was initiated in March 2025 after receiving a report from the Department of Defence concerning irregularities having been identified through and internal investigation.
The irregularities in-question involved a Northern Territory business being awarded up to $71 million worth of contracts by Defence.
So far more than 80 investigators and specialists have contributed to the operation, which has drawn upon the expertise of digital forensics and canine detection dogs.
Asked if any other businesses or persons were being investigated, the AFP declined to respond, however Commander Naomi Binstead said authorities were still combing for evidence and the operation remained live.
“The work of AFP officers will continue throughout this ongoing investigation.”
Meanwhile, a NACC spokesperson has already used the situation to emphasise the threat of corruption.
“The Commonwealth public sector spends tens of billions of dollars on procurements each year, and corruption in these activities can lead to substantial loss and waste, decreased service quality, and reduced confidence in the public sector,” they said.
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Originally published as Michael Buckley: M+J Builders co-founder arrested, charged
