NT ICAC under investigation over ‘hatchet job’ against NT News in grandstand report
THE Northern Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog has been put on notice and is under investigation after it allegedly produced a “hatchet job” designed to smear a senior member of the press as “payback” for the publication of unfavourable stories
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Alleged Turf Club ICAC breach ‘extremely serious’: Michael Gunner
- Final ICAC Turf Club report included incomplete text message
- CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS: ICAC Turf Club report, internal investigations, estimates saga
THE Northern Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog has been put on notice and is under investigation after it allegedly produced a “hatchet job” designed to smear a senior member of the press as “payback” for the publication of unfavourable stories, The Weekend Australian has reported.
Bruce McClintock, the inspector of the NT Office of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, has accepted a complaint lodged by News Corp Australia on behalf of the NT News and its former editor, Matt Williams.
It comes after the a recent report was released at the end of June by the ICAC into the awarding of a $12m government grant to the Darwin Turf Club to build a grandstand.
News Corp’s complaint, sent by the company’s national editorial counsel Michael Cameron, alleges ICAC personnel doctored evidence, breached confidentiality laws and failed to afford natural justice to those implicated by not giving them a right of reply, after it included paragraphs saying a “senior representative of a media organisation” had promised DTC chairman Brett Dixon favourable coverage of the grandstand plan.
Williams was later identified by a report in an online news publication. The ICAC was at the time in a tug of war with the NT News over attempts to use star chamber powers to force journalists to reveal their sources.
According to The Weekend Australian, News Corp’s complaint, the ICAC report reproduced a text message between Williams and Mr Dixon which read “The NT News, especially since I’ve been in charge, has been a big supporter” in an attempt to indicate personal support.
The full message, however, read: “The NT News, especially since I’ve been in charge, has been a big supporter of racing and we will continue to be.”
“Mr Williams was not afforded the opportunity to refute highly defamatory and false allegations that he tailored the newspaper’s reporting to benefit a friend,” Mr Cameron wrote in the complaint.
“It is apparent that he was dragged into the controversy by the ICAC as some form of payback for the newspaper doing what newspapers are supposed to do: that is, hold the powerful to account … It is apparent that the ICAC has doctored that sentence to suit its own purposes.
“The final ICAC report … appears to be a rushed hatchet job designed to publicly embarrass (the NT News and Williams).”
Mr Cameron also alleged that a senior ICAC official had left the newspaper’s general manager Greg Thomson with “the impression … that the reference to Mr Williams in the forthcoming report was, in essence, a retaliatory act by the ICAC over the NT News’ reporting of unrelated matters concerning the ICAC”.
The Weekend Australian reported Mr McClintock said he had “decided to accept (News Corp’s) complaint for investigation and determination”.
An ICAC spokeswoman said the watchdog would “co-operate fully with any inquiries by the inspector”. “Given the matter is before the inspector, it would be inappropriate to provide further comment,” she said.
Newly appointed NT ICAC commissioner Michael Riches released a statement last month refuting his predecessor’s position that the watchdog could and should freely use star chamber powers to pursue journalists for information about their sources.
Mr Thomson welcomed Mr McClintock’s investigation, and Williams said that ICAC’s treatment of him had been “appalling”.
“I have faith that Mr McClintock and the new ICAC commissioner will thoroughly investigate this matter, given its seriousness,” Williams told The Weekend Australian on Friday.
“The assumptions the ICAC put on the incomplete message in its final report were completely wrong.
“The NT News published two front pages on the grandstand scandal in February 2020, which was four months after I sent the message, so to suggest we were running some sort of protection racket for Mr Dixon and the turf club is complete nonsense.”
On June 1, News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller announced Williams’ promotion to a new executive editorial role in Melbourne.
— With reporting from Amos Aikman
Brutal killings and mysteries: Crimes that shocked the Red Centre
From gruesome deaths, suicide missions and a missing body, here’s a look at the crimes that rocked the Red Centre and fascinated the world for all the wrong reasons.
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.