TERMINATED: Police Commissioner Michael Murphy officially sacked by NT government

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has officially terminated the employment of Police Commissioner Michael Murphy.

Police Commissioner Michael Murphy Picture: Alex Treacy

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has officially terminated the employment of Police Commissioner Michael Murphy.

The NT’s top cop was sent on leave, 48-hours after admitting he was the unnamed bureaucrat at the centre of a ‘job for a mate’ scandal in an anonymised ICAC report.

At the time the Chief Minister said she had begun the process of terminating the appointment of Mr Murphy as Police Commissioner.

The termination has now been made official with a statement just issued by the Chief Minister.

The statement reads:

“This afternoon, on the recommendation of the Executive Council, former Police Commissioner Michael Murphy’s appointment was terminated by the Administrator of the Northern Territory.

“Mr Murphy’s entitlements and final payment will be processed promptly. The terms and conditions of his appointment in 2023 requires payment of six months remuneration upon termination.

“I acknowledge that this has been a challenging time for the hardworking members of our police force, and I sincerely thank them for their continued dedication to serving and protecting Territorians.”

The Chief Minister had previously informed Commissioner Murphy he had lost the confidence of the Government.

“I gave Commissioner Murphy the opportunity to resign,” she said at the time.

The Northern Territory Police Association had also called for Police Commissioner Murphy’s resignation.

Originally published as TERMINATED: Police Commissioner Michael Murphy officially sacked by NT government