Former Attorney-General Daryl Manzie calls on ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming to stand down

FORMER Attorney-General Daryl Manzie has called on ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming to stand down over his comments at a protest rally in Alice Springs last week

ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming speaks at a protest rally in Alice Springs last week. Picture: Emma Murray

FORMER Attorney-General Daryl Manzie has called on ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming to stand down over his comments at a protest rally in Alice Springs last week.

Mr Fleming, who has been appointed to oversee the internal police investigation into the shooting death of indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker at Yuendumu, attended protests in Darwin and Alice Springs last week.

At the Alice Springs rally, he told the crowd: “One of the most important messages today is ‘Black Lives Matter’. Anybody who says contrary to that is guilty of corrupt behaviour.”

Mr Manzie – the CLP vice-president and a former police officer – said the comments had created a clear perception of bias for Mr Fleming.

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“I think anyone looking at this independently would say ‘how can this man be independent’ and seen to be independent, which is more important, because it’s the perception that really counts,” Mr Manzie said.

“How can people perceive that this man is totally above politics and normal day-to-day activities.”

Mr Fleming was unavailable for comment on Monday, but at the weekend he told the Sunday Territorian he was not investigating Mr Walker’s death, but processes and policies in place and whether improvements could be made.

NT police officer Zachary Rolfe was charged with the murder of Kumanjayi Walker the day before Mr Fleming addressed the Alice Springs rally.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said it would be “inappropriate for us to provide a running commentary on the ICAC or this investigation”.

“We deliberately set up the commissioner to do his job independently. That includes exercising his judgment during investigations.”

Mr Gunner said it was up to independent Inspector of the ICAC Bruce McClintock to determine if Mr Fleming’s comments were inappropriate and if action should be taken.

Former Labor Attorney-General Chris Burns was surprised Mr Fleming was making public comments.

“While I thoroughly agree with the ICAC Commissioner’s sentiments that ‘Black Lives Matter’, it is surprising he has become publicly involved at this stage,” he said.