ICAC probes circumstances of Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills’ former chief of staff’s employment
THE Territory’s corruption watchdog is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances around Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills’ employment of his former chief of staff while he was Opposition Leader.
Northern Territory
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THE Territory’s corruption watchdog is conducting a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances around Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills’ employment of his former chief of staff while he was Opposition Leader.
A former parliamentary staffer turned whistleblower told the NT News the probe is looking at the circumstances of James Lantry’s employment in Mr Mills’ office and an alleged payout when he left the role.
Mr Lantry subsequently went on to establish polling company MediaReach.
The reason for his leaving Mr Mills’ office is unclear.
The whistleblower alleges Mr Mills subsequently rehired Mr Lantry in a consultancy role and he later overheard former Deputy Chief Minister Dave Tollner complaining about the decision to other senior ministers on the fifth floor.
He said Mr Tollner later reiterated the claims prior to the ex-staffer taking his concerns to the Independent Commission Against Corruption last year.
A spokeswoman for Mr Mills said: “(Mr Lantry) left my employment when Opposition Leader more than 10 years ago in 2010 and took up a position in the NT public service.”
“At no stage was James Lantry terminated, at no stage was he hired under a consultancy contract,” she said.
“James Lantry returned to assist me as the then Chief Minister during my first parliamentary sitting week in government in 2012 and was provided on loan from the Victorian Government for this period which was about two weeks.
“MediaReach is a trading name of James’ private company and his company has not received Territory Government funding either by government or opposition while I have held those leadership positions.
The spokeswoman said Mr Lantry “is not employed by Territory Alliance”.
“In addition to supplying polling services to Territory Alliance, he also provides high-level strategic advice,” she said.
“It is my understanding that MediaReach undertakes polling work for a large number of national clients including, in the NT, Territory Alliance and previously the Australian Labor Party and Newscorp.
“His polling has been found to be consistently accurate.”
The spokeswoman asked for questions for Mr Lantry to be directed to her.
The allegations relate to a trip Mr Lantry took to the United States to attend a Republican Party rally and struggled to raise the asking price to set up an Australian franchise of the polling company.
The NT News is not suggesting the allegations concerning Mr Mills and Mr Lantry are true, only that they are under investigation by ICAC.
A letter from delegate for ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming, Anna Collins, seen by the NT News reveals the matter has progressed to the “preliminary inquiry” stage.
“After consideration of the information provided with your report, the ICAC has determined that your report will be progressed to a preliminary inquiry as per section 24 of the Act,” it reads.
“The purpose of a preliminary inquiry is to collect information from additional sources to determine if further action needs to be taken.
“This action could include referring the matter for investigation, making recommendations or publishing a report or statement on the findings of the inquiry.”
The letter states that ICAC is only able to investigate “a very small number of matters” and prioritises “the most serious, systemic, sensitive and contemporary improper conduct including serious corrupt conduct and anti-democratic conduct”.
Mr Tollner was contacted for comment.
Originally published as ICAC probes circumstances of Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills’ former chief of staff’s employment