‘Immediate’ audit needed of NAAJA funding, following corruption claims: opposition
The opposition wants an immediate investigation into spending on the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency following serious allegations of corruption and fraud.
The opposition has called on the federal government to conduct an urgent audit of Commonwealth spending on the embattled North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, following serious allegations of corruption and fraud at the centre of the association.
Meanwhile the Attorney-General’s department has shifted blame to the NT government, claiming while it is currently administering $83 million over five years to the top end legal service, it does not have control over how that money is spent.
The comments come following explosive claims of corruption, fraud, bullying and drug use within NAAJA were published in The Australian, including serious allegations that former chief executive Priscilla Atkins, CFO Madhur Evans and Chair Colleen Rosas misused thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds.
Ms Evans and Ms Rosas are still employed by the agency, and deny any allegations of misconduct. Ms Atkins also denies allegations of misconduct.
Opposition legal affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus must “take this seriously” and called for greater transparency around how the money is being spent, and by whom.
“The Commonwealth is funnelling $83 million into that agency, under an agreement in the Attorney-General’s portfolio. That money is meant to be delivering frontline services for Indigenous Australians,” Senator Cash told The Australian. “Taxpayers deserve to know that their money is being used to improve outcomes on the ground as intended.”
Senator Cash said the allegations were “exceptionally serious” and called on Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to “conduct an immediate and thorough audit of all Commonwealth money that is going to NAAJA.”
But while the Attorney-General’s department acknowledged the “critical importance” of NAAJA’s work, a spokesperson passed the responsibility of funding to the NT government.
“Under the National Legal Assistance Partnership (2020-25), the NT government received quarantined funding for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency over over $83 million over five years,” the spokesperson said.
“The NT government is responsible for administering this funding to NAAJA under the NLAP.”
The Attorney-General’s office refused to confirm whether an investigation had been launched into any existing employees of NAAJA, including Ms Rosas or Ms Evans.
“The government is aware of the concerns that have been raised about governance and other issues at NAAJA,” the spokesperson said. “The government is monitoring the situation closely and is in close contact with the NT government and is taking all appropriate actions within our remit.”
The Australian understands Ms Rosas has met three times with representatives from the federal Attorney-General’s department and the office of NT Attorney-General Chansey Paech, since Ms Atkins was sacked from her position as CEO.
A spokesman for the Mr Paech said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on a matter undergoing police or ICAC investigation.
“·The Department of the Attorney-General and Justice continues to work closely with NAAJA to ensure continuity of service provision to Aboriginal Territorians,” he said.
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