Land council chief, offsider ‘conflicted’, source claims

MORALE at the Northern Land Council has bottomed out amid concerns about perceived conflicts of interests

Jak Ah Kit has dismissed concerns about any conflict of interest over his association with Jawoyn saying he would not be involved in any decision relating to it.

MORALE among Northern Land Council staff has bottomed out amid concerns about perceived conflicts of interest involving interim chief executive Jak Ah Kit and his offsider Ron Levy, the NT News has been told.

A source close to the NLC said the mood inside the organisation was “very low” since former interim CEO Rick Fletcher was knifed in favour of Mr Ah Kit last week.

The source said Mr Ah Kit’s membership of the Jawoyn Association, which is currently at war with the NLC over a native title claim to the town of Katherine, was the “elephant in the room”.

“There is confusion about his role and how he can perform both at the same time,” they said.

Mr Ah Kit said on Monday he would “declare a conflict of interest” regarding his association with Jawoyn but would not discontinue his involvement.

The source said Mr Ah Kit had brought Mr Levy on board when he took over the top job and the former head of the NLC’s legal department had reinserted himself into the organisation despite also having acted in court proceedings in opposition to the land council.

“There’s confusion about his role at the NLC and what basis he’s engaged by the CEO,” they said.

“I think a lot of people including full council members have a lot of questions that should be answered at a full council meeting.”

Mr Ah Kit dismissed concerns about any conflict of interest over his association with Jawoyn saying he would not be involved in any decision relating to it.

“Ron Levy served with the NLC as principal legal officer for 20 years. I have had a long association with Ron over those years, on and off,” he said.

“Ron will be declaring a conflict of interest that will detail with the NLC any other involvements and matters that he will avoid in his current role with the NLC as a consultant legal eagle.”

Mr Levy did not respond to a request for comment by deadline last night.