NT top cop Michael Murphy under fire over jobs-for-mates scandal
NT police commissioner Michael Murphy faces an uncertain future after revelations he chaired a panel that appointed a close friend to a senior position in the force.
The future of Northern Territory police commissioner Michael Murphy looks uncertain after revelations he chaired a panel that appointed a close friend to a senior position in the force, resulting in a finding by the NT corruption watchdog of improper conduct.
The NT Police Association has demanded Commissioner Murphy’s resignation and questioned his integrity, saying the trust of its members in the commissioner is “destroyed”.
“This has triggered deep anger and frustration amongst our members and brings into disrepute the whole police force,” NTPA president Nathan Finn said.
“Our members will not forget this betrayal and question his ability to continue as the Commissioner of Police.”
ICAC delegate Patricia Kelly SC confirmed in February that an investigation into an unnamed senior officer had uncovered “improper conduct” in the management of his conflicts of interest, calling it “negligent” and “incompetent”.
Ms Kelly SC found that the officer had declared the prior relationship but ought to have recused himself after giving the candidate a copy of a prior job application and acting as a referee for him.
‘Substantial detriment’
“The conduct did result in a substantial detriment to the public interest and was also an inappropriate use of public resources in the recruitment process,” she said.
However, Ms Kelly noted that the ICAC Act “prohibits the naming or identification of a person in relation to a matter that amounts to unsatisfactory conduct”.
On Thursday Commissioner Murphy outed himself as the unnamed officer but did not apologise and refused to resign over the scandal.
“I accept that I should have dealt better with a conflict of interest, a friendship and a referee report in relation to an appointee”, Mr Murphy said in a statement.
“On reflection, I should have managed the friendship and the conflict of interest to a higher standard and on at least one occasion should have recused myself from the appointment process in order to ensure community confidence,” Mr Murphy said.
Mr Murphy said he was “committed to developing a clear written policy position for police executive recruitments, and to developing an education and training program for all members that gives clear guidance for the identification, disclosure and management of conflicts of interest.”
Division continues
The latest furore comes amid continuing division between the force’s top brass and rank and file members, culminating last year in Mr Murphy’s resignation from the police association days after apologising to Aboriginal people of the territory for decades of systemic racism within the force.
The recruitment process that attracted the attention of the ICAC is understood to involve now-Assistant Commissioner Peter Kennon, who was publicly announced in the role in April, 2024. Mr Kennon is not accused of any wrongdoing.
Earlier this week Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro revealed she knew the senior officer’s identity – and had known since last week – but claimed she was also bound by the ICAC’s secrecy provisions.
It appears Ms Finocchiaro has not sought Mr Murphy’s resignation, on Thursday describing his conduct simply as “unsatisfactory” and instead taking a thinly veiled swipe at ICAC, questioning whether it was “fit for purpose”.
‘Unsatisfactory conduct’
“The unsatisfactory conduct detailed in the ICAC’s public statement is disappointing and falls well short of the expectations the community places on the public service, especially senior executives within the public service,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Following the release of the ICAC’s public statement as chief minister, I wrote to the chief executive of the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet asking that he work with the commissioner for public employment to advise what action is being taken to ensure public sector agencies are fully aware of their obligations to ensure appropriate conflict management and recruitment practices are occurring throughout government.
“Since it was established, Territorians have paid more than $35 million to operate the Office of the ICAC. It is clear more needs to be done than what we inherited from Labor to give confidence to Territorians that the Territory’s integrity functions are fit for purpose.”
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said Ms Finocchiaro had “ignored the very unacceptable behaviour she once vowed to stamp out”.
“As Opposition Leader, she preached accountability and transparency,” Ms Uibo said.
“Now, as Chief Minister, she hides from scrutiny and covers up a major scandal. Territorians deserve the truth. Why did she cover up this blatant jobs for mates scandal?”
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