Next chapter for former NLC chief executive Joe Martin-Jard in prestigious new Batchelor Institute post

The appointment follows a review by Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Michael Riches last year which identified financial ‘anomalies’ and a poor corporate culture at the institute.

The Batchelor Institute has appointed Joe Martin-Jard as its new chief executive officer. Picture: Supplied

Former Northern Land Council chief executive Joe Martin-Jard has been appointed to take the helm of the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.

It comes after Mr Martin-Jard was given 24 hours to clear out his office at the NLC in March, 10 months before his three-year contract was set to expire.

The appointment also follows a review by Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Michael Riches last year which identified financial “anomalies” and a poor corporate culture at the institute.

In a statement announcing Mr Martin-Jard’s appointment as CEO on Monday, the institute said it was “well on its way to completing the implementation” of Mr Riches’ 27 recommendations.

“This appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the institute, underpinned by a foundation of solid and stable leadership,” it reads.

“Twenty-one of the recommendations have been implemented, including a complete review of the institute’s policy suite as well as training delivered by ICAC relating to conflict of interest and mandatory reporting.

“The institute, under Mr Martin-Jard’s leadership will continue prioritising implementation of the remaining six recommendations which include longer term actions such as legislative change in partnership with the NT government.”

Joe Martin-Jard was let go as CEO of the Northern Land Council in March.

Mr Martin-Jard said while there was “work to be done” to complete the “transformation”, he was “ecstatic to return to one of my first passions, education and training”.

“It’s the pathway to opportunity and success for First Nations people,” he said.

“When I trained as a teacher and gained my adult education degree, I was inspired by the power education had not only on me but the vast number of people I trained and worked with,” he said.

“It changed peoples’ lives and I’m passionate about people creating change.

“There is work to be done at Batchelor Institute and while transformation is hard, the institute has gathered a strong group of leaders who I have every confidence in to carry this organisation forward.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of David Cusack over these many months and look forward to working together as we move forward.”