APY Lands general manager Richard King to be reappointed, Frank Pangallo calls for investigation into selection process
The controversial general manager of the APY Lands is set to be reappointed to the role – despite claims by a member of parliament that he did not even put in an application.
SA News
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Controversial APY Lands general manager Richard King is set to be reappointed as head of South Australia’s remote Aboriginal lands – despite claims by a member of parliament that he did not apply for the role.
Independent MLC Frank Pangallo said the selection process “doesn’t appear to have passed proper scrutiny” and has called for an independent investigation.
But the APY board has dismissed his claims as “baseless” – and said it stands by the selection process and decision to reappoint Mr King.
The general manager role – which carries a salary of more than $200,000 a year – was advertised in April after Mr King’s contract was extended until the recruitment process was complete.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher told parliament last week the APY board had decided to reappoint him to the position.
Mr Pangallo said “informed sources” had raised a number of “disturbing allegations” with him, including that Mr King did not apply for the job and members of the selection panel were not provided copies of all applications received.
He also said highly-qualified applicants were not short-listed for the position, no women were short-listed, and the board chair denied a request to hold an emergency meeting to discuss concerns over the probity of the process.
Mr Pangallo said the allegations warranted an “independent integrity investigation”.
“I am deeply concerned at the apparent lack of transparency and accountability of the selection process for the APY Lands general manager’s position,” he said.
“At the very least, I am calling on the minister to put a hold on the appointment process until these concerns have been independently investigated.”
In a statement, APY chair Bernard Singer said the decision to reappoint Mr King was made by the democratically-elected APY board, which represents all APY communities.
“We believe that (Mr Pangallo’s) comments cast doubt on the ability of Anangu to make decisions for themselves,” he said.
“It is important to note that the recruitment process for a new GM was initiated in 2023 under the previous board, which did not reach a unified decision.
“After careful consideration, the new board has unanimously decided to reappoint Mr King.
“We are confident in the integrity of the selection process and stand by our decision to reappoint Mr King.”
Mr King, who was first appointed to the role in 2015, has previously lost multiple Supreme Court bids to halt investigations by the Ombudsman into his conduct.
In 2020, the Supreme Court quashed his bid to overturn the Ombudsman's findings, which were critical of his conduct.
A government spokeswoman said Mr Maher does not appoint the APY general manager.
“The only role for the minister is to approve the terms and conditions of appointment,” she said.
“The minister has not yet done so, and has instead sought further information from the APY Executive Board about the proposed terms and conditions.”
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Originally published as APY Lands general manager Richard King to be reappointed, Frank Pangallo calls for investigation into selection process
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