NAAJA executive Leeanne Caton resigns amid Hugh Woodbury assault revelations
Linda Burney says she is ‘deeply concerned’ by the situation at Australia’s largest Aboriginal legal service, calling on the board to ‘show leadership’ when it comes to domestic violence.
Indigenous Affairs
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The most senior female executive at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has suddenly resigned, as the board continues to back its chairman amid revelations he assaulted his pregnant partner.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said she was “deeply concerned” by the situation at the nation’s largest Aboriginal legal service, calling on the board to “show leadership when it comes to family violence”.
NAAJA’s acting deputy chief executive Leeanne Caton on Friday told staff she would be leaving immediately, after just five months in the role.
“I regret to advise I will be ceasing employment with NAAJA as of close of business today,” Ms Caton said.
“I’d like to thank the NAAJA staff for the commitment, dedication and tireless input into the service delivery to our people across the Territory.
“I am truly appreciative of the support that I have received from staff and I wish you all the best into the future.”
It comes after it was recently revealed that in 2020 NAAJA chair Hugh Woodbury stood on his pregnant partner’s stomach, closed her arm in a door, pushed her to the ground and repeatedly swore at her. He pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated assault.
He was fined $200 and given a good behaviour bond without a conviction.
The NAAJA board has supported Mr Woodbury remaining in the top job, saying he worked hard to get his life on track, and that people who turn their lives around “deserve a second chance”.
Ms Burney, whose department controls NAAJA’s funding, said she and the federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus had met with NT Attorney-General Chansey Paech to discuss the matter.
“It’s time for the board of NAAJA to show leadership when it comes to family violence,” she said.
“We all have a responsibility to lead by example.
“It’s time for the board to step up and to ensure that Aboriginal people that need services from NAAJA are being supported.”
The legal agency has been beset by staff shortages and leadership turmoil – currently on its fifth boss in less than two years.
Longtime chief executive Priscilla Atkins was ousted in late 2022, sparking an ongoing unfair dismissal dispute which has prevented a permanent replacement from being hired.
A NAAJA spokeswoman said Ms Caton was on a temporary contract and “resigned for personal reasons”.
The government appointed auditors to examine NAAJA’s finances and compliance after it stopped taking new criminal cases for a period of almost five months from November last year.
More than half a million dollars had been withheld due to the service crisis, and the government is also attempting to recover $2.69m in unspent funding from the agency.
NAAJA is disputing that amount, with a resolution expected when the auditors report is finalised in the coming weeks.
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