Senator Sam McMahon confirms chief-of-staff Jason Riley has resigned
NORTHERN Territory Senator Sam McMahon’s chief-of-staff Jason Riley has resigned from his position effectively immediately
Northern Territory
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NORTHERN Territory Senator Sam McMahon’s chief-of-staff Jason Riley has resigned from his position effectively immediately.
His resignation follows claims revealed by the NT News that he had been involved in a physical altercation with the Senator earlier this year.
The Department of Finance is also investigating allegations of misconduct within the Senator’s office following a complaint by another staff member.
Senator McMahon sent a message to the NT News on Friday which said: “Jason has been terminated from my office, mutually agreed.”
Mr Riley did not respond to numerous requests for comment.
CLP president Ron Kelly said Mr Riley’s employment was not a party matter.
“The Senator’s employment issues are for the Senator,” he said.
Mr Riley’s resignation comes after the Country Liberal Party launched an internal investigation into the allegations last month.
At the time the allegations were revealed, Mr Kelly said the investigation was motivated by “the welfare of the people involved”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his deputy Michael McCormack didn’t respond to questions about the CLP’s investigation.
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The NT News had seen WhatsApp messages sent from Senator McMahon’s phone alleging an incident had occurred.
The CLP also investigated a separate altercation alleged to have occurred between the Senator and Mr Riley at her office in Jingili on April 2.
NT Police confirmed they were investigating the incident and confirmed officers had been called to a Girraween property on the night in question and that investigations were continuing.
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No charges had been laid.
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