ICAC Commissioner Ken Fleming QC announces retirement after 3 years in the job

THE first head of the Territory’s peak anti-corruption watchdog will retire from the job after three years in office.

Mr Kenneth Fleming QC, the outgoing Northern Territory Independent Commissioner Against Corruption during Budget Estimates. Picture: Che Chorley

THE first head of the Territory’s peak anti-corruption watchdog will retire from the job after three years in office.

Independent Commissioner against Corruption, Ken Fleming QC, announced he would retire from the role in July in order to move back to Queensland to be closer to family.

Mr Fleming was the founding commissioner of NT’s ICAC and has held the role since July 2018.

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The NT’s first Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Kenneth Fleming QC Picture: Keri Megelus

Before this, Mr Fleming practised law mainly in Brisbane and also spent three years with the United Nations prosecuting those charged with perpetrating the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Under Mr Fleming’s watch, the ICAC’s biggest investigation to date was arguably the probe into former parliamentary Speaker Kezia Purick, in which he found she had engaged in a “series of acts” that amounted to corrupt conduct because each was a “serious breach of public trust”.

In a statement released late on Thursday afternoon, Mr Fleming said he was announcing his retirement “with regret”.

“2020 was a challenging year for many people, and for me reinforced the importance of being close to family,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing the results of long-term operational activities currently being undertaken by the office become apparent in 2021.

“Without being ageist, I will observe the new direction of the agency with keen interest, secure in the knowledge that my successor will approach the task with fresh eyes and energy.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner thanked Mr Fleming for his service, describing him as the “perfect person” for the job as he was “experienced, intelligent and intrepid”.

Mr Gunner said the announcement was “disappointing” but understandable.

“Our democracy and its institutions are stronger for Ken Fleming’s service,” he said.

A national recruitment drive for a new commissioner, to be managed by the Chief Minister’s Department, will begin in the coming weeks.