West Arnhem council staff allegedly drink in Maningrida, CEO stood down

A Territory council boss has been stood down while the mayor has refused to answer questions about other staff also allegedly involved in a boozy work trip to a dry community last month.

Eight people were allegedly caught bringing alcohol into Maningrida and drinking it in the dry community. Picture: Natasha Emeck

An outback Territory council has gone to ground over claims its senior staff took alcohol into a dry community to drink after a day of cultural awareness training.

West Arnhem Regional Council’s chief executive officer Paul Hockings has also been stood down amid the allegations, which the council says it is investigating.

This publication understands the group of West Arnhem Regional Council staff, which included Mr Hockings, is alleged to have brought alcohol into Maningrida in late June and drunk it while visiting the dry community.

Mayor Matthew Ryan said councillors were aware of “a number of allegations involving staff members of council relating to alcohol management matters”.

The council’s governance and risk advisor Jessie Shaecken was appointed acting chief executive on July 12 after a unanimous vote, with the interim role to end this Friday July 21.

Earlier in June Mr Hockings also took three days annual leave for an overseas trip to Fiji, at which time acting chief operating officer Fiona Ainsworth was recommended to act in his absence.

West Arnhem Regional Council acting chief operating officer Fiona Ainsworth was previously recommended to act as interim CEO. Picture: WARC

Mayor Matthew Ryan declined to comment on why another executive staff member was not appointed as acting chief executive, who would be in the role from next week, or whether any other staff were also on leave.

Mr Ryan also did not answer questions as to whether the council was considering engaging an outside body to take over its investigation into the matter.

“Council is currently investigating these allegations,” he said.

West Arnhem Regional Council chief executive Paul Hockings has reportedly been stood down over the incident. Picture: WARC

Meanwhile, an NT Police spokesman confirmed eight people would be issued with infringement notices for bringing alcohol into the community.

But he said investigators “do not believe these individuals were supplying alcohol into the region” and the booze was instead for “personal consumption”.

Arafura MLA Manuel Brown said he had spoken to Mr Ryan about the council’s investigation.

“The Territory government is working hard to curb alcohol-related harm in our community, and we need everyone to work on this with us,” he said.

“This year we passed legislation where communities and town camps need to come up with an approach together on how they manage alcohol.

“This is important local decision making that this government will continue to support.”

Mr Ryan said “council takes alcohol management matters very seriously.”

“The elected members of West Arnhem Regional Council are very well aware of the harm that alcohol can cause in our communities,” he said.

West Arnhem Regional Council mayor Matthew Ryan said the council was investigating. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hockings was contacted by this publication but declined to comment.

The NT Police spokesman said several people had allegedly brought grog into Maningrida on June 29.

“Maningrida police allege a group of eight people entered the region by vehicle in possession of alcohol,” he said.

“Eight infringements will be issued for consume and possess prohibited liquor in restricted area.

“The community of Maningrida has strict alcohol rules that only allows for a certain type of alcohol to be brought into the community from a specific supply service.

“NT Police do not believe these individuals were supplying alcohol into the region but rather did not follow the rules regarding personal consumption of alcohol in Maningrida.”

The spokesman said the incident remained under police investigation.

Local Government Association of the Northern Territory chief executive Sean Holden said LGANT was “not privy to all the information pertinent to this issue and does not generally comment on council operational issues”.

“We trust that all stakeholders are operating within the Fair Work Act, Local Government Act, the council’s own code of conduct and employment contractual arrangements,” he said.

The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, which oversees local government matters, was contacted for comment.

A government spokesman would not comment other than to say they were “aware that an acting CEO has been appointed for West Arnhem Regional Council to cover a short period of absence by the CEO, and there is continuity of services and operations”.