The public is yet to see report into prison riot

THE NT government needs to explain how handing over a report into the Darwin prison riot to its own Ombudsman could possibly undermine court proceedings

THE NT government needs to explain how handing over a report into the Darwin prison riot to its own Ombudsman could possibly undermine court proceedings.

The report into the Darwin Correctional Centre riot, where 21 prisoners caused an estimated $20m worth of damage, was completed a few months ago by Professor John Paget.

The public is yet to see it, with the Attorney-General arguing it could jeopardise current court proceedings.

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In the scope of the media reporting evidence that may be used in a criminal proceeding prior to that material being heard in court, fair enough.

But how is it that the NT Ombudsman, whose job it is to independently investigate and resolve complaints between two parties, in this case, the government and prisoners, can’t see the report?

It’s quite literally his job to make sure everything has been done right, nothing else needs to be dealt with, and it’s all been handled fairly.

The whole situation just stinks of a government covering up a document that holds information it doesn’t want the world outside the Fifth Floor to know.

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That may not be the case, but it is overwhelmingly the perception.

This current government, when it came into power in 2016, talked a big game about how it’d be transparent and accountable.

What a load of baloney that’s largely turned out to be.