NT Indigenous Business Network cut ties with M+J Builders, Transportable Solutions NT
The peak body representing Indigenous businesses in the Territory has made a massive call, cutting ties with two embattled companies.
The fallout has continued for M+J Builders, with a peak Indigenous body confirming it has cut ties with the embattled construction company.
On Tuesday morning, the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network announced it had suspended the membership of M+J Builders citing “reports of a major corruption investigation”.
Michael Buckley, who is the co-founder and director of M+J Builders, has been charged with dishonestly gaining benefit from a Commonwealth entity – namely the Department of Defence.
Held in custody over the weekend, Mr Buckley was granted bail on Monday morning.
NTIBN has also suspended the membership of Transportable Solutions NT – the same company Mr Buckley’s wife, Jessica, is a director of.
Of note, Ms Buckley has not been arrested in connection to the alleged fraud and it is not suggested she has engaged in any wrongdoing.
However, her fellow director at Transportable Solutions NT, Natalie Wynne, has been charged and is accused of being involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth of $71 million.
Her husband, Dallas Wynne, is a Department of Defence employee and the third individual charged.
NTIBN said the suspension of both M+J Builders and Transportable Solutions NT would remain in place while the investigation unfolded.
“NTIBN maintains a zero-tolerance position on corruption, fraud and unethical conduct,” its statement said.
“We have acted promptly and appropriately to safeguard our membership and uphold the integrity of the Indigenous business sector.
“Integrity is non-negotiable – our members, partners and communities expect high standards, and we uphold those standards without hesitation.”
According to NTIBN, having a membership with the peak body comes with several perks, including procurement pathways and practical support.
M+J Builders has publicly spruiked its Indigenous identity.
On its website, the building company states it is a “majority Indigenous owned” business.
“Our heritage means we have an ethos of honesty, respect and transparency towards our staff and clients,” it says.
NTIBN has also paid tribute to M+J Builder’s success in the past, handing Ms Buckley the 2023 ‘Best Blak Female Leader of the Year’ award.
Prior to being suspended, M+J Builders had already reached out to its workforce and business associates with a view to easing widespread anxiety.
In an email sent to clients, subcontractors and team members on Monday afternoon, M+J Builders reinforced its commitment to projects already underway and thanked their team for their “ongoing focus”.
The email also pointed out that no charges had been laid against M+J Builders as a business.
“Work continues today on all of our projects. Our commitment to the highest construction standards remains unchanged. We remain proud of our long partnerships with our clients, and we have always valued the opportunity to work across the Northern Territory community,” the email read.
“You should not notice any changes in the daily operations of M+J Builders.”
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Originally published as NT Indigenous Business Network cut ties with M+J Builders, Transportable Solutions NT
