Allegations of ‘plainly unlawful’ conduct, threats to sue, reveals Joe Morrison’s troubled time at Northern Land Council boss

NORTHERN Land Council chief executive Joe Morrison’s sudden resignation for “personal reasons” last week followed an at-times tumultuous period at the helm of Australia’s largest land council, including an affair with his personal assistant.

THE  Northern Land Council’s outgoing chief executive Joe Morrison’s sudden resignation for “personal reasons” followed an at-times tumultuous period at the helm of Australia’s largest land council – including a sexual affair with his personal assistant.

The office of Mr Morrison, who is married, yesterday confirmed he “did have an affair with his executive assistant”, which was now over, but denied any suggestion he acted improperly. “Any suggestion to the contrary is wrong and defamatory,” a spokesman said.

“All employment and remuneration matters relating to the executive assistant have been properly dealt with at arm’s length from the CEO.”

“Very private” documents obtained by the Sunday Territorian reveal Mr Morrison was the subject of allegations he acted improperly and may have acted unlawfully in his role as chief executive – allegations he strongly denies – and threatened to sue NLC chairman Samuel Bush-Blanasi when Mr Bush-Blanasi entertained not renewing Mr Morrison’s job contract. A spokesman for the NLC told the Sunday Territorian a letter from Mr Bush-Blanasi to Mr Morrison outlining “serious concerns” and alleging “unlawful” conduct by Mr Morrison was “baseless and defamatory”.

Mr Bush-Blanasi in late 2016 instructed his lawyer, Robert Welfare, to draft two letters – one of which was never sent – detailing why he had not signed Mr Morrison’s renewed job contract.

“In summary, serious concerns have been raised in relation to Mr Morrison’s performance by reference to the high standards of ­propriety, transparency and accountability – especially in relation to the expenditure of money …” the first letter said.

The second letter, which was not sent, raised a series of concerns, including “substantial upgrading of the position of personal assistant to the CEO without advertising internally or externally and without notifying the chairman or the executive”.

The Sunday Territorian is not suggesting the “defamatory” allegations Mr Bush-Blanasi made were true, only that Mr Morrison’s affair jeopardised his role and resulted in a rift between the two men. Mr Bush-Blanasi also alleged NLC staff loyal to Mr Morrison had pressured him to sign the employment contract, despite the allegations – now denied – being unresolved. An NLC spokesman yesterday said, “there was no inappropriate pressure”.

Mr Bush-Blanasi’s allegations were in response to a letter from Mr Morrison’s barrister, John Lawrence SC, threatening to sue over Mr Bush-Blanasi’s “refusal” to sign the contract, which, Mr Lawrence wrote on Mr Morrison’s behalf, was “causing deep instability within the organisation”.

An NLC spokesman said that letter “speaks for itself”.

Mr Bush-Blanasi yesterday said Mr Morrison “at all times” enjoyed his confidence and said his performance as chief executive had been “exceptional”. He said “all matters have been satisfactorily resolved” and he was devastated Mr Morrison was leaving “to explore other opportunities”.