NT Government will review use of travel companies after Xana Kamitsis charged for allegedly rorting a pensioner travel scheme

THE NT Government will review its use of travel companies, six months after Xana Kamitsis was arrested for allegedly rorting a travel scheme.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Passangers wait at a Qantas departure gate as airlines cancel flights due to volcanic ash at Sydney Domestic Airport on June 21, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Air travel across the country is being disrupted again, as a result of volcanic ash cloud from Chile inundating Australian air space. Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne airports have been affected, with all major airlines announcing cancellations. It is expected Brisbane airport will next be affected as the cloud travels over the east of the country. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

THE Territory Government will review its public service travel practices and the use of travel companies – six months after the arrest of Xana Kamitsis for the alleged rorting of a Government pensioners travel scheme.

John Coleman, chief executive of the Department of the Chief Minister, announced the review last night, citing the police investigation into ­Kamitsis’ travel company ­Latitude Travel, which was used to book Government trips.

“The review will investigate how the Northern Territory Public Service procures travel to guarantee the Territory Government is receiving best value for travel expenditure and to ensure that taxpayer money is spent appropriately,” Mr Coleman said.

“The NT Government will not turn a blind eye to ­unethical behaviour or stand by while illegitimate activities take place.”

Mr Coleman added the Government would “stringently examine review recommendations for change within the NTPS in respect to public sector travel processes and enhance general training of staff relating to conflicts of interest” in the review.

Labor leader Michael ­Gunner called for the findings of the review to be made ­public.

Kamitsis was arrested at her Winnellie business in ­November.

Former NT police ­commissioner John McRoberts – who had a “relationship” with ­Kamitsis – was forced to resign in January after he ­allegedly interfered in the ­investigation.