National corruption body raids offices of Northern Land Council, Anindilyakwa Land Council

An independent Commonwealth anti-corruption agency is investigating two Territory land councils. Find out why.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has raided two Territory land councils in one week.

On Monday, October 14, and Tuesday NACC officers raided the Northern Land Council’s Mitchell Street office in Darwin, and on Wednesday they raided the Groote Eylandt offices of the Anindilyakwa Land Council on an unrelated matter.

Northern Land Council interim chief executive Jessie Schaecken said the NACC raid had been initiated in response to a raid she had initiated earlier this year.

“On Monday the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), conducted a search warrant

at Northern Land Council offices at 45 Mitchell Street and on Tuesday at 43 Mitchell Street.

“This was in relation to a report I made earlier in the year on suspicion of corrupt conduct of

a former employee.

NLC interim chief executive Jessie Schaecken

“The Northern Land Council is committed to integrity and transparency, which is why I made

the initial referral to the NACC.

“As this matter is currently under investigation it is not appropriate for me to make further

comment.”

The independent anti-corruption agency confirmed in a statement the raids on both premises. “The Commission can confirm that it carried out operational activity last week in Darwin and in Groote Eylandt, in relation to ongoing investigations,” it said.

“As these matters are ongoing, we will not be making further comment, as to do so may compromise operational activities or unfairly impact reputations.”

Mrs Schaecken was appointed interim chief executive officer in March after the resignation of Joe Martin-Jard after two-and-a-half years.

Anindilyakwa Land Council was raided last week. Picture: Zizi Averill

Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who has been critical of Aninidilyakwa Land Council, said her predecessor Linda Burney had referred ALC to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

“So clearly the (Anti-Corruption) Commission has stepped in and acted, on that I am aware of what occurred. And I’ll also say this, that one of the other things we did put in place, and the previous minister did that, Linda Burney, in terms of a review.

“And when that review came back to me, when I took on the role, I was not happy with the outcome of the Land Council’s process, and have withheld their budget to only a particular amount of money until I’m convinced that they are improving.

“I am delighted to just say, though, that a new board has been elected on Groote, the chair is doing an incredible job, and I’m very pleased to see it starting to turn around.”

The raid follows months of external pressure on the ALC about the conduct of its operations and service delivery.

In August, Senator McCarthy received an independent review into the ALC’s response to governance recommendations from the Australian National Audit Office.

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy. Picture: Gera Kazakov

In August she said the review showed the ALC’s governance, operations and decision-making remained “deficient”.

She said the NIAA would monitor the ALC’s progress towards meeting the Australian National Audit Office’s recommendations.

“Good governance is the cornerstone of trust and needs to be based on transparency, fairness, and accountability,” she said at the time.

“Without the trust of the Anindilyakwa people and other key stakeholders, the ALC cannot properly represent its people and achieve its mission. 

“I take governance at land councils seriously – poor governance and decision making can have a significant and detrimental impact on social, cultural and economic wellbeing.

“The steps I have taken today put the ALC Board and management on notice. Their failure to sufficiently respond to the recommendations of the independent review and ANAO must not continue, and they need to demonstrate their progress to the NIAA.”

The National Anti-Corruption Commission did not say how long its investigation would take. 

Attempts by this masthead to contact the ALC were unsuccessful.