Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright faces a fresh legal battle
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has returned to the Northern Territory where he is facing a new legal battle – this time in a civil court.
Outback Wrangler Matt Wright has returned to the Northern Territory where he is facing a new legal battle – this time in a civil court.
The reality TV star and his wife, Kaia, are listed to appear in the Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Friday over a dispute between them and the Development Consent Authority. The 43-year-old and his wife are expected to attend Friday’s hearing.
NTCAT is a forum for reviewing a wide range of administrative decisions and for resolving certain civil disputes.
Matters proceed to a hearing if parties fail to achieve a negotiated resolution to the dispute at a compulsory conference.
A Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics spokesperson said planning investigations and enforcement were a matter of the Development Consent Authority.
“The DCA does not comment on investigation and enforcement matters as it may prejudice future actions that may be required,” she said.
Wright declined to comment on the nature of the dispute when contacted on Thursday.
It comes just days before his next appearance in the Darwin Local Court where he is facing serious criminal charges – including making false statements, destroying evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice – relating to a fatal chopper crash that killed Chris Wilson.
In November, the father of four was released on bail to reside in Queensland after posting a $20,000 surety and promising not to contact 50 persons of interest and witnesses connected to the case.
Among them is former senior police officer Neil Mellon and pilot Michael Burbidge, who have also been charged with serious offences related to the major crash investigation.
In late December, Wright’s lawyer successfully applied to have two names – Rowan Sutton and Tim Johnston – removed from the list.
Last week, his barrister, Giles O’Brien-Hartcher, successfully had two more people – James Apte and Michael Jacobi – removed from the list.
Mr O’Brien-Hartcher sought another bail variation hearing for February 8, where he will request further changes to Wright’s non-contact list after reviewing the brief of evidence.
Crown prosecutor Collette Dixon last week told judge Greg MacDonald the NT police investigation into the fatal chopper crash and its aftermath was continuing. “There is still material coming in,” she said.
“We do have some material that our administrative staff are in the process of disclosing. We’re expecting more to come in.”
Judge MacDonald ordered the brief of evidence be provided to the defence teams by February 8.
Mr Mellon, Mr Burbidge and Wright are all due back in court for a preliminary examination mention on March 8.
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