NAAJA in shock apology to ousted CEO Priscilla Atkins

The NAAJA has apologised ‘without reservation’ to Priscilla Atkins after the Federal Court found its board unlawfully sacked her after she raised allegations of corruption against senior staff.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency chief executive Priscilla Atkins.

Australia’s largest Aboriginal legal service has apologised “without reservation” to ousted chief executive, Priscilla Atkins, after the Federal Court found its board unlawfully sacked her after she raised serious allegations of corruption against senior members of staff.

In a shock backdown, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency quietly published a statement to its website on Wednesday morning apologising for “the hurt, pain and suffering” caused to Ms Atkins after her employment was terminated.

“NAAJA sincerely hopes to move forward from the events of the past two years in a professional and cooperative way with Ms Atkins for the benefit of Ms Atkins, NAAJA and the community that NAAJA proudly serves,” a NAAJA spokesperson said.

The apology comes after judge Natalie Charlesworth in June found the NAAJA board acted unfairly when instigating a so-called independent audit targeting Ms Atkins, after she levelled corruption allegations at finance chief Madhur Evans.

She also found then-chair Colleen Rosas deliberately withheld information from the audit, conduct which was “not consistent with a genuine desire” for the audit to make fair and factual findings.

NAAJA on Wednesday said Ms Atkins remains chief executive, despite the organisation having rotated through six acting bosses in about 18 months.

“Ms Atkins remains employed as the chief executive officer of NAAJA. For the avoidance of doubt, her employment is not subject to any suspension or ongoing disciplinary investigation. NAAJA wholly resiles from any express or implicit findings of wrongdoing made by it against Ms Atkins in the lead up to her purported and unlawful dismissal,” the spokesperson said.

“NAAJA apologises without reservation to Ms Atkins for the unlawful action it took against her and the hurt, pain and suffering she endured as a result of those actions, as well as any damage suffered to Ms Atkins’ reputation by reason of NAAJA’s actions.”

Colleen Rosas.

Ms Atkins’ legal action is just one of many scandals which has plagued the embattled legal service over the past year.

In November last year, NAAJA announced it would stop taking on new criminal matters in Alice Springs following a mass exodus of staff, forcing Aboriginal people accused of crimes in Australia’s most dangerous jurisdiction to represent themselves in court.

The Australian in June revealed the board knowingly hired chair Hugh Woodbury, despite knowing he had plead guilty to horrific abuse to his pregnant partner, having stood on her stomach, pushed her to the ground, slammed her arm in a door and yelled degrading slurs at her in front of their two-year-old child.

Hugh Woodbury.

Earlier this month, this masthead published reports that NAAJA parole officer Samantha Alampi had been arrested after she was ­allegedly found in bed with Jefferson Woodie, who had allegedly removed his electronic ankle bracelet and gone on the run, just months after getting out of jail.

Ms Atkins’ case against NAAJA was heard at trial late last year.

In the proceedings, Ms Atkins alleged she was fired after accusing Ms Evans of making discreet payments directly to Ms Rosas, bullying employees, recording interactions with her colleagues without their permission, disclosing confidential company information and failing to use her work-issued credit card in accordance with policy.

Upon learning of Ms Atkins’ allegations against Ms Evans, Ms Rosas accused Ms Atkins of forging her signature on a contract extension document, securing her position as chief executive – and its $350,000 salary – for another five years.

Justice Charlesworth in her ruling found there was “insufficient” evidence to support Ms Rosas’ accusation.

Ms Rosas remains as the agency’s deputy chair. According to LinkedIn, Ms Evans is still NAAJA’s chief financial officer.

In August, at least four NAAJA board members stood down in a shock group resignation. Mr Woodbury stepped aside from the role of chair, but still holds a director position.