Chief Minister says ICAC Commissioner’s comments at Budget Estimates were ‘unwise’

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has criticised ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming saying comments he made at Budget Estimates about a whistleblower were ‘unwise’.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner, right, has criticised ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming, left, saying comments he made at Budget Estimates about a whistleblower were ‘unwise’

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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has criticised ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming saying comments he made at Budget Estimates about a whistleblower were “unwise”.

Mr Fleming attacked the whistleblower under parliamentary privilege after Sky News and the NT News revealed his office was being investigated over allegations it had awarded lucrative contracts to a company owned by the boyfriend of its investigations director. No findings have been made in relation to that investigation.

“I think everybody should respect an independent investigation, particularly someone who is part of that investigation and particularly someone who is in their own right an independent investigator. I don’t think they were wise comments,” Mr Gunner said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has criticised ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming, pictured, saying comments he made at Budget Estimates about a whistleblower were ‘unwise’

In a revealing interview on Mix 104.9FM, Mr Gunner said he had spoken with ICAC Inspector Bruce McClintock who will soon provide a report into allegations of improper conduct within Mr Fleming’s office.

“The comments are upon a subject which is actively being investigated and I’ve confirmed that with Bruce McClintock as the Independent investigator of the ICAC and that investigation is ongoing,” he said.

“I believe the ICAC was unwise in commenting upon an investigation that is occurring and the investigation that is occurring will obviously have a report which will discuss everything including the actions of the ICAC.”

Mr McClintock had previously said he could not investigate Mr Fleming’s comments at Budget Estimates as they were covered by parliamentary privilege.

But Mr Gunner said the comments could still inform Mr McClintock’s report and left the door open for Mr Fleming to be referred to Parliament’s privileges committee.

“Right now, and I’ve confirmed with (Mr McClintock), if necessary he can make a recommendation to parliament at the end of his report about what we could do and the point of time where we would act would be at the conclusion of his independent investigation, so we as a government aren’t interfering with that investigation,” he said.

Mr Gunner said the Government would not stand in the way of the whistleblower if they wished to respond to Mr Fleming before the Budget Estimates Committee.

He also said he would ask for a review of the ICAC Act being conducted by Greg Shanahan to consider the issue of journalistic privilege after Mr Fleming publicly threatened to have a journalist called to a closed hearing to reveal the sources of his story.

“I believe journalists do a very important role holding people to account, myself, the ICAC Commissioner, others, and I believe they should have the ability to do their jobs,” he said.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has called for Mr Shanahan’s review to be a public process with public hearings.

Mr Fleming is due to leave his role on July 5.

The NT Police Association has called for him to stand down immediately.

Originally published as Chief Minister says ICAC Commissioner’s comments at Budget Estimates were ‘unwise’