Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation being examined by insolvency firm as police investigate ‘significant financial anomalies’

Forensic accountants examine books at one of the NT’s biggest Aboriginal corporations, while separate police investigation launched after ‘significant financial anomalies’ found.

Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation’s finances are being examined by order of the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.

An independent insolvency firm has been ordered to review the books of one of the Territory’s largest Aboriginal corporations, while a police investigation into “significant financial anomalies” at the Tennant Creek service provider continues.

Last month the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations ordered an examination of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, appointing forensic accounting, insolvency and restructuring firm Rodgers Reidy to examine its finances and governance.

Julalikari is funded by both NT and federal governments, and offers a range of services in Tennant Creek and the Barkly region including housing, tourism, youth programs, cultural events and job support.

It is not the first time Julalikari has come under scrutiny for mismanagement - in 2017 ORIC placed it under special administration for seven months before control was handed back to the restructured corporation.

Julalikari Youth Night Patrol is one of many services the corporation offers. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Chief Minister Eva Lawler met with Julalikari’s board on Wednesday and said it was imperative their work could continue.

“I met with Julalikari to talk about the position that they find themselves in and where they go forward,” she said.

“They have a large number of contracts with the Northern Territory government, from housing repairs to night patrol.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Julalikari have been around Tennant Creek since 1974 and they have a large Aboriginal workforce, so we need to make sure that they are able to continue.”

Ms Lawler said it was “too early” to say whether the government would consider bailing out the council or whether its funding could be stripped.

“ORIC are doing their investigations, we’ll wait to see what comes out of that,” she said.

Julalikari interim chief executive Gerard Coffey said the board had requested ORIC’s help to assess its finance and governance after a number of “historical issues” came to light.

“Significant financial anomalies were discovered by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation in March 2023, and following an internal investigation, this matter was then referred to NT Police,” Mr Coffey said.

“Since then, a number of additional historical governance and financial management issues came to light, and the JCAC Board and organisation has worked extremely hard to address these historical matters in the last several months.

“As a result of this recent work, the JCAC Board has also made the decision to work closely with ORIC.

“At the request of the JCAC Board, ORIC is currently conducting an independent assessment of the organisation’s financials.

“The Board will continue to work in partnership with ORIC, and the Board’s first priority will be to update our members on the outcome of the ORIC assessment.

“While this work is underway, we will continue to remain focused delivering our important funded services to the community.”

NT Police confirmed they had received information from Julalikari and an investigation was underway.