‘An announcement about his future will be made in the coming days’: Dodson extends leave

Treaty Commissioner Mick Dodson has extended his leave as negotiations continue over his resignation.

• NT Treaty Commissioner at centre of government investigation
• Second woman alleges she was subjected to offensive comments by Mick Dodson

TREATY Commissioner Mick Dodson has extended his leave as the NT government tries to negotiate his resignation.

Professor Dodson’s lawyer David De Silva said an announcement about his future was imminent.

“Mick currently remains on leave while he receives support for a mental health condition,” he said.

“An announcement about his future will be made in the coming days.”

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It comes as the Opposition pressured the government to act following allegations Prof Dodson had verbally abused Aboriginal women.

Prof Dodson was due to return to work on Thursday after taking two weeks’ personal leave.

He had indicated he would resign last month after losing the government’s confidence but instead took leave.

Opposition leader Ms Finocchiaro said there was a lack of respect and authority for Michael Gunner as leader.

“This is the same Chief Minister who continues to accept the tainted vote of the disgraced Member for Blain,” she said. Ms Finocchiaro also attacked Treaty Minister and Attorney-General Selena Uibo for failing to take action over the allegations of Prof Dodson’s abusive behaviour until the issues were revealed by Sky News and the NT News.

A spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the government strongly condemned any threatening or aggressive behaviour, towards any individual.

“Mr Dodson remains on leave and has indicated his willingness to resign,” he said.

“He is currently finalising arrangements including the effective date of his resignation.”

An Aboriginal woman made a formal complaint to Ms Uibo in late March claiming Prof Dodson had called her a slut and threatened to “knock her f***ing lights out” during a confrontation at TIO Stadium in January.

Prof Dodson has not confirmed or denied the allegations but says he has no recollection of the incident.

Ms Finocchiaro said Ms Uibo had gone to ground over action on the Treaty Commissioner which, for the first law officer of the Territory and an Aboriginal woman, was “appalling”.

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