NAAJA chairman Hugh Woodbury had domestic violence history

The boss of the Territory’s primary legal aid organisation had a history of domestic violence when he was appointed this year. Read the reaction.

Embattled Territory legal aid organisation NAAJA has been rocked by allegations its chairman was involved in a horrific domestic violence against his pregnant partner before he was appointed to the role this year.

In October 2020 Hugh Woodbury pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated assault and sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and fined $150 for aggravated assault.

The NT News has obtained a copy of an NT police statement of fact that details an incident from July 4, 2020 that occurred after Mr Woodbury’s partner collected him from a residence in Gillen, Alice Springs.

A report in The Australian newspaper said the NAAJA board knew of Mr Woodbury’s history when he was appointed a member last year and then when he was named chairman in March 2024.

NAAJA chairman Hugh Woodbury. Picture: Che Chorley

The police statement of fact said the victim collected Mr Woodbury at about 8.30pm on Saturday July 4, 2020 after he’d “consumed an unknown amount of intoxicating liquor” at a home in Gillen.

While driving home Mr Woodbury started arguing with the victim, calling her a c**t a number of times.

When then arrived home the victim went to a neighbouring home but the abuse resumed when she returned home a short time later.

The statement said Mr Woodbury slammed a unit sliding door into the victim’s right arm and then he dragged her away from the back sliding door and pushed her to the ground.

The woman struggled to crawl into the unit while Mr Woodbury attempted to drag her out, but fell to the ground himself.

As he tried to stand up, he stood on the victim’s stomach, who screamed “in fear and pain trying to remind” the defendant she was pregnant.

The statement said the defendant walked into the kitchen and again began swearing and throwing various items at the victim.

Police later arrested Mr Woodbury, and the victim declined to go to Alice Springs hospital for medical treatment.

NT Senator Jacinta Price. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

During a police interview after the incident, Mr Woodbury said he could not remember why he swore at the victim, slammed the door onto her arm and dragged her from the unit.

In response to a question about why he assaulted the victim, Mr Woodbury said: “No excuse for what I done. Not sure why did it. I need help. I don’t drink that much, I don’t know.”

NAAJA issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

“The NAAJA board is aware that Hugh Woodbury was involved in a historic incident involving a partner, for which he was fined $200 and issued a good behaviour bond,” it said.

“Importantly, no conviction was recorded. Mr Woodbury abided by the conditions of the bond without issue, including completing counselling. He had the support of his partner throughout the process.”

NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she was concerned at the nature of the reports.

“Those particular questions have to go to the board of NAAJA,” Senator McCarthy said. “They clearly made decisions based on information that they had and I’ll also be seeking further information about how that decision came about.

“How could you not be concerned? It is alarming to read the kind of story that we read in regards to NAAJA but there is always two sides to every story and I will be trying to find out what was the decision behind the NAAJA board (and) where things are at.”

Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Mr Woodbury’s appointment was “unacceptable”.

“Aboriginal people experience some of the highest rates of family and domestic violence in our country,” Senator Price said. “The prevention of this kind of offending is the precise context in which NAAJA operates, making the hypocrisy of this appointment all the more blatant.

“This is yet another example of the double standards that we hold when it comes to Aboriginal people and organisations. How would the government and national media react if someone with the same rap sheet was put in charge of Women’s Legal Services Australia?”