NAAJA CEO Priscilla Atkins challenges claims of misuse of company funds

The longtime chief executive of a prominent Territory legal aid organisation has claimed her bosses ‘bullied’ and harassed her, including by spreading rumours that she was ‘on cocaine’.

NAAJA chief executive Priscilla Atkins has rejected suggestions she improperly used the organisation’s money to purchase seven vehicles for personal use. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

The head of the Territory’s largest legal aid agency has accused her bosses of spreading rumours she was “on cocaine” and releasing “untrue leaks” to the media, amid a messy, ongoing employment dispute.

Priscilla Atkins has taken legal action against the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency on multiple fronts, after what the Federal Court has heard was a “completely and utterly broken down” employment relationship.

Ms Atkins’ representatives returned to court on Wednesday, this time before judicial registrar Natalie Dimmock in the Darwin Local Court, seeking compensation for loss of income and mental distress.

Her solicitor Cathy Spurr said Ms Atkins, who had held the chief executive role for 15 years, had been “bullied extensively” by the board in the lead up to her dismissal.

She said allegations from the board surrounding Ms Atkins’ salary had emerged, claiming the chairwoman had stated it had not been properly approved.

NAAJA CEO Priscilla Atkins has challenged claims she improperly used company funds.

She said Ms Atkins was then accused of applying her own electronic signature to give herself a pay rise.

Ms Spurr said her client had received a letter on November 29, 2022 stating she had been stood down due to concerns surrounding her contractual and salary arrangements.

After asking for particulars, she said she received a second letter outlining alleged indiscretions she made dating back years, which Ms Spurr referred to as “minor in nature”.

Those included improperly using NAAJA money to purchase seven vehicles for personal use, wrongfully cashing out her annual leave and charging vehicle expenses to the company credit card.

“It was actually about leasing vehicles for employees, which is perfectly normal and a usual arrangement for many employees,” Ms Spurr said.

“Then an allegation she recklessly or wrongly cashed out her holiday and long service leave, which she has denied and provided an explanation for.

“There’s also an allegation she used NAAJA money to buy artworks — those sit on the walls at the Palmerston and Darwin offices.

“There’s also an allegation she failed at the time to gain appropriate approval for credit card reconciliations and her response was to provide the reconciliation process.

“She was acting in accordance with her responsibilities as CEO and the board were fully informed at all times of what she was doing.”

Ms Spurr said the harassment of Ms Atkins had continued after she was stood down, including “current workers being advised she was on cocaine”.

“And untrue leaks to the NT News and the ABC that she has been stood down due to misusing an electronic signature and giving herself a pay rise,” she said.

The judicial registrar asked NAAJA’s representative if they wanted to address any of Ms Spurr’s comments, to which they responded “not today”.

Ms Dimmock ordered an additional affidavit to be issued within seven days, providing information about any termination payment Ms Atkins may have received following her dismissal.