Exodus of high-ranking government officials sparks ‘catastrophic’ fears
The NT government has defended a number of roles in its ranks sitting empty, claiming they’re being filled with ‘highly capable employees’ while waiting for permanent recruits.
Northern Territory
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KEY government roles have been sitting vacant for up to several months, raising concerns about “catastrophic voids” in the public service.
Among the positions vacant is the Alice Springs Correctional Centre’s general manager, which became vacant when Bill Yan was elected to parliament last August, and an NT Police assistant commissioner, which became vacant when Michael Hebb resigned in March after an alleged relationship with a colleague was exposed.
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Corrections Commissioner Scott McNairn also remains on unexplained extended personal leave.
But the government has defended any suggestion of an exodus, claiming all its ranks are filled with “highly capable employees pending longer term arrangements”.
Director of Public Prosecutions Jack Karczewski QC will start extended leave from July 1, while his deputy will leave at the end of June.
The CLP has slammed the vacancies, taking particular aim at Attorney-General Selena Uibo who has also gone without a permanent chief executive since last year.
Gemma Lake has been acting in the role since Greg Shanahan retired.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said: “(The vacancies in the DPP) leaves a catastrophic void in an area that is overloaded with cases due to the Gunner government’s soft approach to crime.”
She also described Corrections as “rudderless”.
“The commissioner has been on an unexplained ‘period of absence’ for most of the year and the Territory’s second largest prison has gone without a permanent general manager since August 2020,” she said.
“This has got to be a safety issue for both staff and prisoners, and the Minister can no longer fob this off as a human resources issue.
“Attorney-General Selena Uibo is clearly not up for the job. Her departments are in disarray, with serious leadership voids at the top.”
A government spokesman said: “None of these positions in the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice are vacant – they are all filled with highly capable employees pending longer term arrangements.”
The spokesman said while the NT Police was missing one assistant commissioner, there were three others still working in their roles actively.
Treaty Commissioner Mick Dodson is also on sick leave after it was revealed he allegedly verbally abused an Aboriginal woman.
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