With $15.8m spent in two years, we need to look closely at the aim of ICAC

With $15.8m spent so far over two years to run ICAC, we need to look closely at what has been discovered that requires such a hefty outlay, writes BARRY COULTER.

The controversial Darwin Turf Club grandstand at the Fannie Bay Racecourse. Picture: Che Chorley

THERE has been $15.8m spent so far over two years to run ICAC, with 31 staff employed. What has been discovered and uncovered in this alleged corrupt part of Australia that requires such an outlay?

A PREVIOUS Speaker of the parliament who is a lot of things. Silly for her involvement comes to mind, but she is not corrupt. Her recent settlement with ICAC, confidential with no disclosure, leaves one wondering what the settlement terms were, but certainly no charges will be laid.

A PERSON who allegedly falsified Aboriginal identity documents and lied about his qualifications to win a government position.

A REMOTE schoolteacher for alleged misappropriation of funds – an alleged $500,000 on travel for “school business”.

AND the scalp on their belt the previous commissioner was most proud of, the Darwin Turf Club grandstand.

I don’t expect any charges to be laid here either and other than the impact on people’s reputation it will eventually disappear although I suspect not before some counter litigation to have the matters quashed.

Michael Riches is the new ICAC Commissioner.

Meantime back at the ICAC office we now have the previous commissioner before the Privileges Committee of parliament — for Mr and Mrs Moil, the Privileges Committee is a group of politicians who sit to cast judgment on someone.

And now we are told there is an active police investigation into the running of the place and conduct issues.

Also within the office there are more whistles blowing than Mardi Gras in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, with some pretty serious accusations about work allocations etc.

All in all he departed not in a blaze of glory nor do I believe the Territory is a better place because of his contribution.

Let me dwell on the grandstand issue for a moment as one of the Territory’s longest serving treasurers and racing ministers. Buildings at the track have always been controversial, I suspect the betting ring made up of ex-army Sidney Williams huts were “acquired” from the Commonwealth or a committee member had “acquired” them and passed them on, which was the only substantial building when I first became Minister.

Since then infrastructure at Fannie Bay now is close to $100m in replacement costs, making it the envy of regional Australian Race Clubs. The Laurels Bar was built by seconding Tony Lawrence from the NT Government to project manage its construction. This methodology upset a lot of people, but the job got done.

Next the betting ring and stand above it, which was financed in part by Mark Read, former bookmaker, founder of International All Sports, in lieu of paying rent to ensure its construction Merv Elliott on behalf of the MBA objected to the manner in which the Turf Club wanted to go about building the proposed TAB headquarters — the next building along from the betting ring it went out to tender, design and construct and now looks so out of place compared to the rest of the infrastructure (just to appease a lobby group).

The corporate bookmakers headquarters building named after the man at the centre of the current controversy, Brett Dixon, and to which he extended credit of over $300,000 also provided ammunition for the stone throwers, as did the Silks building when he provided technical assistance which resulted in him being out of pocket for $178,000.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Ken Fleming, made findings of improper conduct against five individuals, including Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon.

Fair dinkum some people would throw stones at Santa Claus. On the subject of stone throwing, while some people have him buried in sand up to his neck and are now fully armed, before you throw the first stone, have a look at the crowd. Do you see a replacement there for him? I don’t, but find one we eventually must.

I will not go into the current issues about the grandstand, and will allow the commentary to flow largely from people who don’t know what they are talking about. I like the line that it most likely came into cabinet on the morning tea trolley and no, Dixon did not get business class airfares or any other airfares or accommodation while I was a member of TRNT.

I would like to shed some light through the smoke as to the government guarantee of $3.5m. No one will finance these large buildings that are not on freehold land — that’s why the guarantee is in place and has been for over a decade, to provide comfort to the financiers. It has never been drawn down or called on.

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An independent analysis of the multiplier effect on racing is currently underway. The last one was undertaken some time ago and is now outdated. These people have an Australian wide reputation and are held in high regard. Recently completing a similar exercise for Racing Queensland, I think the figure, even with Covid, will come in around $200m annually, that is for an outlay by the government of $12m annually.

This episode has driven home the scripture written on Breaker Morant’s grave, ”one’s enemies shall be from within their own household”, Mathew 10/36.

This $20m dollar a year business needs better corporate governance to accommodate the new era and can no longer be run on trust, or people’s word, which is a pity. There is a lot of reform that now needs to be implemented. I have written about those reforms extensively in my recent book 3 “A Dreadful Mistake” in particular chapter 11 dedicated to racing in the NT.

Barry Coulter was a CLP treasurer and racing minister and a former TRNT board member.