Full Operation Apollo report tabled to NT parliament
Lia Finocchiaro has tabled the full report which led to the Police Commissioner’s downfall. Here’s what it says.
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A full version of the report that toppled the Northern Territory Police Commissioner has been tabled to parliament, after weeks of speculation about what it could contain.
The NT Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) report reveals an investigation was launched into Police Commissioner Michael Murphy in March last year.
Operation Apollo began following a tip off concerning the recruitment process around Martin Dole’s appointment as Deputy Commissioner.
That lead was ultimately dismissed by the anti-corruption watchdog, but delegate Patricia Kelly SC did find Mr Murphy’s conflict of interest management was “incompetent and negligent” when promoting his friend Peter Kennon to Assistant Commissioner.
Mr Kennon is not accused of any wrongdoing and there is no suggestion he was not qualified for the role.
The report does not name Martin Dole as one of the other people on Mr Kennon’s interview panel (unless that information was contained in a small redacted section).
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro stood by her previous claims to have only found out about Mr Dole’s links to the scandal after appointing him as Acting Commissioner.
She said the “uncertainty and question marks” continued to be raised by the union over other police executive promotions would be answered by an independent inquiry.
The ICAC report made two recommendations to NT Police.
Firstly, that there should be a clear, formal policy position developed on how recruitment processes are to be conducted.
Secondly, that the Commissioner develop an education and training program for all members focused on identification, disclosure and management of conflicts of interest.
Mr Murphy had committed to implementing those recommendations, and the report noted he willingly co-operated with the investigation.
Mrs Finocchiaro said Mr Murphy went on leave after she told him “his position was untenable and that he had lost the trust and confidence of the government” on March 8.
“On Saturday 8 March I commenced a process to terminate the Police Commissioner,” she said.
“This process requires natural justice to Police Commissioner Murphy, and involves Cabinet, Executive Council and advice to the Administrator on termination.
“The NT Police Force does a great job and the best way we can support them is by delivering certainty.
“They have an important job to do in keeping Territorians safe and I need them focused on law and order and not distracted by these events.
“In my interactions, I have found NT Police to be exemplary, but my government does not shy away from transparency and accountability.
“The independent inquiry will give certainty to the police, the community and the officers involved.”
Mrs Finocchiaro said the redacted paragraphs of the report contained evidence of Police Commissioner Murphy and had been removed from the document tabled “on the basis that the ICAC Inspector has determined there is no legitimate public interest in their disclosure”.
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Originally published as Full Operation Apollo report tabled to NT parliament
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