Paul Arnold defends receiving full NT government grant while facing DV charges

Former Darwin councillor Paul Arnold has defended receiving a $100,000 government grant to upgrade his CBD business as he commits to fighting domestic violence charges.

Former Darwin city councillor Paul Arnold has received the second half of a $100,000 NT government grant to upgrade his business as he faces a raft of domestic violence charges. Picture: Che Chorley

Paul Arnold says he has been denied a “right to natural justice” as he defends receiving a large government grant amid a string of domestic violence charges being laid against him.

The high-profile photographer and former Darwin city councillor rejected the allegations, which included three counts of breaking a domestic violence order and stalking, as well as multiple counts of property damage, aggravated assaults and deprivation of liberty.

Paul Arnold says he will fight the DV charges laid against him. Picture: Keri Megelus

“I am pleading not guilty and I will respect and follow the court process but it will take a long time for the allegations against me to be heard and determined,” he said in a statement.

“I ask people to keep in mind my position of innocence until proven otherwise in our Northern Territory court of law.

“I also ask people to keep my (presumption of) innocence in mind in relation to any dealings with me and my business.”

In the statement Arnold defended being awarded a $100,000 Visitor Experience Enhancement Program grant weeks after a DVO was issued against him.

“The public commentary in relation to this grant has necessitated that the record be set straight … this was a competitive grant round. My application was submitted and assessed against stringent criteria,” he said.

“The grant was awarded because the gallery is an iconic location in the old Vic Hotel and is a drawcard to activate additional mall traffic.

“The oversight of the grant was also stringent and the amount that I have been allocated is less than the $100,000 approved as it was reduced during the acquittal assessment.

“To suggest that my right as a businessperson in Darwin to apply for and win a grant should not exist due to unrelated legal proceedings is a denial of my right to natural justice.

“Any suggestion that the grant had anything to do with nepotism or corruption is absolutely false and I will be pursuing legal avenues with regard to those who have made those claims.”

The grant was awarded for upgrades to his Smith Street Mall business, including rebranding from the Paul Arnold Gallery to Wild Country Gallery.

Paul Arnold used part of the government grant to rebrand his business to Wild Country Gallery.

At the Darwin Local Court on Monday Arnold’s lawyer Julie Franz said they would be presenting evidence to “contradict and impugn the police case”.

Ms Franz told the court her client would not be fighting the DVO as it could prejudice his criminal cases.

Five days were scheduled in May next year for a hearing for Arnold’s charges, in which a number of witnesses are expected to give evidence.

Arnold is due to return to court later this week, where he is expected to apply for a bail amendment to allow him to attend a physio in Stuart Park.

Sept 10: Arnold paid full $100k govt grant amid ongoing DV court battle

A former Darwin city councillor has received another government grant payment to upgrade his CBD business as he faces a string of domestic violence charges.

Paul Arnold suddenly quit the council in May, citing mental health issues, before it was revealed several DV charges had been brought against the 51-year-old.

The following month he was sensationally arrested at his Smith Street store, charged with three counts of breaking a domestic violence order and stalking, as well as multiple counts of property damage, aggravated assaults and deprivation of personal liberty against a person.

Days later this publication revealed the photographer and artist – several weeks after he was first issued a DVO – received a $100,000 NT government grant to expand his business.

Half of the grant was paid upfront and the remaining $50,000 was to be paid after June 30 upon “successful acquittal” of the project.

An Industry, Tourism and Trade department spokeswoman confirmed Mr Arnold was recently paid the second instalment of the grant.

“The acquittal process for Mr Arnold’s VEEP (Visitor Enhancement Experience Program) grant has been finalised, in accordance with time frames set out in the funding agreement,” she said.

A second person recently filed a domestic violence order against Mr Arnold for an unrelated incident. Picture: Jason Walls

“The project cost reduced slightly compared to the original estimates provided in the grant application, and consequentially the second payment due from the department was adjusted down.”

The department later confirmed the second payment was $44,452.

As part of the upgrades Mr Arnold has rebranded his CBD business from Paul Arnold Gallery to Wild Country Gallery, removing his name from the logo.

Last month a second person filed a domestic violence order against Mr Arnold.

His lawyer Julie Franz told court the matter was an “abuse of process” against him by police as the DVO was for a potential witness “in the criminal proceedings”.

It came after his alleged victim in the criminal case last month sought to strengthen a 12-month DVO against him to a full non-contact order.

Mr Arnold is due to return to court on Monday.

In August Mr Arnold sent a statement to the media maintaining his innocence in relation to all charges, in which he said he would be pleading not guilty.