Court hears of former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission chair Geoff Clark’s interactions with famous politicians

Geoff Clark’s lawyer says his client’s dealings with world leaders such as Nelson Mandela showcase his good character and should help reduce his punishment as he faces jail for stealing almost $1 million from Aboriginal groups.

Disgraced Indigenous leader Geoff Clark has rolled out a who’s who list of world leaders in an attempt to showcase his good character as he faces jail for stealing almost $1 million from Aboriginal groups.

The former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission chair’s legal counsel has outlined in the County Court his interactions with the likes of Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama, as well as Australian prime ministers in a bid to reduce his punishment.

Clark, 72, faced a pre-sentencing hearing on Wednesday after he was found guilty of 25 offences – 17 counts of theft, four of obtaining financial advantage by deception, two of perjury and one each of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and give false testimony – following three separate trials between October and May.

The court heard Clark, once Australia’s most senior Aboriginal leader, had stolen some $922,000 from Kirrae Whurrong Community Inc, Maar Land Council and Framlingham Aboriginal Trust over 15 years.

Geoff Clark was found guilty of 25 offences. Picture: Tamati Smith

He was also convicted of illegally accepting royalties from eel fishermen, and lying to the Federal Court when applying for bankruptcy in 2009.

Clark had always declared he did nothing wrong, but his lawyer Simon Kenny said the jury verdicts had been “acknowledged” and conceded the offending involved a “breach of trust” to Clark’s community.

Mr Kenny portrayed his client as a man who faced disadvantage and racism as a child, and has dedicated his life to advocating for Aboriginal people.

“He experienced the disadvantage that Aboriginal people experienced in the years that he was a child … and he fought against that,” Mr Kenny said.

Geoffrey Clark, disgraced ex-politician and prominent Indigenous leader, arrives at the County Court in Melbourne for his pre-sentencing hearing after being found guilty of stealing almost $1 million from Aboriginal groups @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/RqckqAgaQt

— Rebekah Cavanagh (@rebekahcavanagh) September 11, 2024

“He has dedicated his life to fight against that.

“The racism he faced as a young man strengthened his sense of identity and pride as an Aboriginal man.

“His contributions are many and varied.”

He outlined a who’s who list of people Clark had associated with over the years, including meeting Nelson Mandela on a trip to South Africa and three meetings with the Dalai Lama in Melbourne and overseas.

Clark’s legal counsel highlighted his meeting with Nelson Mandela. Picture: Tamati Smith

“He has met and worked with many very senior people across the world,” Mr Kenny said.

He has also attended Kirribilli House with numerous Australian prime ministers “many times”, Mr Kenny said, and pointed out Greens candidate and proud Gunnaikurnai woman Marjorie Thorpe was in court to support him.

Ms Thorpe was also among 27 people who provided written character references to the court, but they were not read out.

In somewhat of an explanation for his offending, Mr Kenny stated: “Those funds didn’t go to funding a lavish lifestyle or anything like that.

“Mr Clark had legal fees that had to be paid.”

A large proportion of the stolen cash was used to pay for Clark to fight civil and criminal court proceedings brought against him over rape allegations and a pub brawl, the court heard.

A civil jury found that he led two pack rapes against a teenage girl in the 1970s but he was never charged of a criminal offence in relation to the allegations.

He was also convicted if obstructing police following the affray at Warrnambool’s Criterion Hotel.

Clark also illegally obtained funds from the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust to pay his household expenses, including rates and electricity bills.

The prosecution said it would not make any application for remuneration orders as its attempts to contact each of the entities duped had fallen on deaf ears.

The pre-sentencing hearing before Judge Michael O’Connell continues on Thursday.

Originally published as Court hears of former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission chair Geoff Clark’s interactions with famous politicians