It is ‘highly likely’ Speaker is subject of ICAC investigation, Robyn Lambley tells Parliament

INDEPENDENT MLA Robyn Lambley has used parliamentary privilege to speculate ‘she would not be surprised’ if Speaker Kezia Purick and her office were under investigation by the independent Commissioner Against Corruption

Speaker Kezia Purick’s motivations in seeking to establish an ICAC standing committee have been questioned

INDEPENDENT MLA Robyn Lambley has used parliamentary privilege to speculate “she would not be surprised” if Speaker Kezia Purick and her office were under investigation by the independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

In a scathing speech given in parliament on Thursday, Ms Lambley said Ms Purick’s motion to establish a parliamentary standing committee to oversee ICAC was “very concerning”.

Ms Purick introduced the motion on Tuesday.

Ms Lambley suggested Ms Purick did so to deflect an investigation into the role she played in trying to block the formation of a new political party in 2018.

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley has slammed Ms Purick’s move to establish an ICAC standing committee. Picture: Justin Kennedy

“I do not know whether the Member for Goyder is the subject of an ICAC investigation but, given the form of the Member for Goyder over the last couple of years and, more recently, last year, I would not be surprised if she was the subject of an ICAC,” Ms Lambley said.

“I think it probably highly likely.

“The form is that even just last year, we had the Member for Goyder, the Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and her assistant, Martine Smith, colluding to try to prevent the establishment of a political party in the Northern Territory.”

Ms Purick rejected the accusation that she was being investigated in Parliament on Thursday.

In November 2018 Ms Purick revealed her executive assistant Martine Smith had contacted a Queensland businessman who had previously registered the business name the North Australia Party and suggested he object to the planned registration by Ms Lambley and her political ally Terry Mills of a similarly named party.

Ms Purick avoided being removed from her role as Speaker after the Labor caucus voted to keep her and she later offered a “sincere and heartfelt apology” to parliament.

“Ms Smith’s actions were regrettable, I have reprimanded her,” she said at the time.

Ms Lambley claimed Ms Purick told parliamentarians ICAC boss Ken Fleming had been “trying to influence this decision of parliament” to set up a standing committee.

“I did go to the Deputy Chief Minister last Wednesday and had a conversation with her about that behaviour,” she said.

AMAZING NT News subscription offer: Only $1 for first 28 days

“It disturbs me, it concerns me and it needs to go on the public record.”

A spokesman from the ICAC office said it would not comment on whether it had received or was investigating reports of improper conduct.

“The ICAC is conscious of the potential impact of commentary related to the ICAC which might unduly prejudice the reputation of public officers, including MLAs and their staff,” he said.

Ms Purick declined to comment on Ms Lambley’s remarks.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he remained supportive of Ms Purick as Speaker.