NT advisor with lobbyist links raises “serious questions”: Finocchiaro

The opposition has concerns about a senior advisor with gas company links, after an independent MLA referred the Chief Minister to ICAC.

The NT government has been forced to clarify whether a senior advisor’s lobbyist links is a conflict of interest.

Earlier this month, the appointment of senior advisor Gerard Richardson, whose company was listed on a commonwealth register as a lobbyist for gas company Tamboran Resources, was heavily criticised as a “conflict of interest”. 

On Tuesday, independent MLA Mark Turner, a former Labor member, referred the Chief Minister and her senior advisor to the ICAC.

In a statement, Mr Turner revealed he had received “confidential legal advice” on the “potential violations” the NT government may have committed.

“Despite repeated attempts to address these concerns through official channels, the Cabinet has yet to provide acknowledgment or response,” Mr Turner said.

“This silence has only amplified the need for transparent and independent scrutiny.”

On Wednesday, CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro voiced her concern and said the appointment “doesn’t pass the pub test”.

“In the last month, we’ve seen Territorians question (Natasha Fyles’) decisions around shareholdings, lack of disclosure and now employment in her own office,” she said.

“It doesn’t pass the pub test that lobbyists are involved in those inner workings of government and (Territorians) expect (a) greater role from a Chief Minister who has a very clear track record of misleading Territorians.”

On ABC Radio on Wednesday, Ms Fyles’ agreed that Mr Richardson’s appointment “didn’t pass the pub test”, but denied any wrongdoing.

Ms Finocchiaro said there were “serious questions” around Mr Richardson’s employment.

“There are serious questions Natasha Fyles has to answer around the employment arrangements or relationship with Mr Richardson and his agency and her office and those are questions for Natasha Fyles,” she said.

“This is a government that came to power on a platform of openness, transparency and honesty and Territorians (are) seriously left shaking their heads as to how this government has failed so badly on those commitments.”

Gerard Richardson is a senior advisor to Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Supplied

Ms Finocchiaro said a lobbyist register was needed in the Territory.

“(Currently) there is no official lobbyist register of which the community can keep track of how many times government ministers are meeting with lobbyists and what lobbyists there are working (on),” she said.

“We see that as a major missing integrity piece in the Labor government.”

A government spokesperson said Mr Richardson “doesn’t do any lobbying”.

“Mr Richardson is a Territory resident and provides advisory work to the Government,” the spokesperson said.

“He doesn’t do any other work in the NT except for the NT government.

“He doesn’t do any lobbying work for anyone at all – Tamboran or anyone else.

“The firm had a short term project with Tamboran doing some federal engagement in Canberra, not the NT, and it’s been concluded.”

Originally published as NT advisor with lobbyist links raises “serious questions”: Finocchiaro