Larissa Waters, Jonathan Parry in Greens push for lobbyist register

In calling for a lobbyist register to be established in the Territory, NT Greens convener Jonathan Parry said the Labor government was ‘hanging on by a thread’ after the latest ‘major scandal’.

Teal independent Monique Ryan has called for a full investigation ‘to ensure there are no conflicts of interest’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Territory Greens have accused Chief Minister Natasha Fyles of “answer(ing) to the gas industry, not her constituents”, saying there is “no denying” a “conflict of interest” in one of her advisers moonlighting as a lobbyist for Tamboran Resources.

It follows revelations that NT government consultant Gerard Richardson’s company Brookline Advisory is listed on a commonwealth government register as a lobbyist for the gas company that has an interest in about two million acres within the Beetaloo Basin southeast of Darwin.

In calling for a lobbyist register to be established in the Territory, NT Greens convener Jonathan Parry said the Labor government was “hanging on by a thread” after the latest “major scandal”.

“The capture of the NT Labor government by big gas companies is disturbing and unethical,” he said.

“It is offensive to Territorians to have their elected members so blatantly disregard basic

integrity.

“Frankly, I am disgusted that the Chief Minister would think it appropriate to spend taxpayers’ money getting political advice from the same firm lobbying for an expansion of fracking in

the NT.

Senator Larissa Waters has labelled Mr Richardson’s dual roles as ‘outrageous’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“It is impossible to see where the Fyles Labor Government ends and the gas industry begins.”

Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters said Mr Richardson’s dual roles were “absolutely unacceptable and yet another case of poor decision-making from Chief Minister Fyles”.

“It is outrageous for Mr Richardson to be in (involved) in political strategy for the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, while also lobbying for Tamboran Resources to unleash a carbon-bomb by fracking the Beetaloo Basin,” she said.

“It’s bad enough when we see ex-parliamentarians and senior staffers heading straight into a lobbying role after they leave office — but in the NT, the lobbyists appear to be on the parliamentary payroll.”

A spokeswoman for Ms Fyles said while Brookline Advisory was a registered lobbyist, Mr Richardson was not personally on the federal register.

“Gerard is an NT resident who provides advice to government,” she said.

“He doesn’t do any other work in the NT except for the NT government.

“He doesn’t do any lobbying work for anyone at all — Tamboran or anyone else.

“The firm had a short term project with Tamboran doing some federal engagement in Canberra — not the NT — and it’s been concluded.”

Mr Richardson has been contacted for comment.

MP calls for ‘investigation’ into Fyles government adviser over ‘conflict’

Independent federal MP Monique Ryan has called for a “full investigation” into the “possibility of a serious conflict of interest” following revelations a senior Territory government adviser is also a registered lobbyist for Tamboran Resources.

NT government consultant Gerard Richardson’s company Brookline Advisory is listed on a commonwealth government register as a lobbyist for the gas company that has an interest in about two million acres within the Beetaloo Basin southeast of Darwin.

Tamboran is also one of five proponents at the Territory government’s signature Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

After learning of Mr Richardson’s dual roles, Ms Ryan said she was “alarmed” a senior adviser to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles was also lobbying the commonwealth government on behalf of a gas company.

“We don’t know the extent to which the senior adviser is personally involved in lobbying for Tamboran but the reports raise the possibility of a serious conflict of interest,” she said.

“Voters have the right to expect that politicians and their advisers make decisions in the public’s best interests, not their own.

“The public expects government employees to avoid situations in which their decision-making could be influenced, or could be perceived to be influenced, by financial considerations.

“There should be a full investigation into the matter to ensure there are no conflicts of interest so the public can have confidence in the decisions being made about Middle Arm and the Beetaloo Basin.”

Former press secretary to Michael Gunner and current NT government adviser Gerard Richardson.

A spokeswoman for Ms Fyles said Brookline did not do any work for Tamboran in the NT and the company’s only work in the Territory was in its capacity advising the NT government.

She said Mr Richardson had declared his company’s federal lobbying work and provided assurances the Territory government would be its only client in the NT.

“Mr Richardson is a Territory resident and provides advisory work to the government,” she said.

“He has declared the nature of Brookline’s work for Tamboran.

“He does not do work for Tamboran and does not do any work for anyone based in the Northern Territory other than the government.”

At a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said it was “absolutely appropriate” for Mr Richardson “to be working as a consultant to the NT government”.

Ms Ryan reiterated her call for the federal government to withdraw $1.9 billion in funding earmarked for Middle Arm.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Ms Fyles’ leadership had been “dogged by scandal over integrity issues that don’t pass the pub test” after the Chief Minister recently divested shares she controversially owned in gas giant Woodside Energy.