Tindal RAAF base boss Fiona Pearce to stay in role during investigation

The boss of a Territory Defence Force base has kept her job during an internal investigation into her management style. Latest in the probe.

Tindal RAAF Base boss Fiona Pearce has retained her position pending the outcome of an investigation into her leadership and management style.

Defence Minister Richard Marles ordered an investigation into Tindal’s base commander after a number of senior Defence personnel at the base sought transfers.

Speaking in Darwin on Tuesday, Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said the investigation would be consistent with other ADF policy.

“Obviously some allegations have been made with Wing Commander Pearce,” he said.

“My understanding is she’s still performing that role.

Wing Commander Fiona Pearce.

“Those allegations will be investigated according to normal policies and procedures of the Australian Defence Force, and at some time in the future, its determination of a decision will be made.

“I can’t comment any further than that. The investigation has to run its course and everyone has to be offered natural justice.

“There are normal procedures that the Defence Force, like any organisation in Australia, follows when allegations such as this are made and there are polices that have to be followed.

“Appropriate people with the expertise to investigate these matters are put in place and that’s occurring with this investigation at the moment.

A digitally enhanced image of the MQ-4C Triton., which will be based at RAAF Tindal. Courtesy of Northrop Grumman. Image has been manipulated.

“These investigations need to run their course according to the policy and everyone has to be offered natural justice and that will occur in this case.”

He was unsure how long the investigation would last.

The NT News reported on Monday Minister Marles had ordered the investigation after three senior officers at Tindal requested transfers because of the way they were managed and spoken to by senior command.

This publication understands a male and female squadron leader both sought transfers from Tindal with a third squadron leader also seeking to leave Tindal.

Wing Commander Pearce replaced outgoing Tindal boss, Wing Commander Shane Smith in March 2023.

Aside from its Defence capacity, Tindal is a key engine room for the NT economy with the Australian and US defence forces spending up big to shore up the Asia-Pacific region for a potential conflict with China.

The Australian Defence Force said in July its current total expenditure on upgrades at Tindal was $1.17bn and the US military is spending up to $150m in readiness for the arrival of the Triton remotely piloted aerial system to Tindal.