NT ICAC inspector flies to Darwin to investigate commissioner Michael Riches
The man who oversees the Northern Territory’s anti-corruption body has made a trip to Darwin, as he instigates an investigation into accusations levelled at embattled NT ICAC commissioner, Michael Riches.
The man who oversees the Northern Territory’s anti-corruption body has made a trip to Darwin as he instigates an investigation into accusations that Territory ICAC commissioner Michael Riches offered his estranged wife $20,000 to withdraw a DVO application filed against him.
It can also be revealed lawyers for Mr Riches asked lawyers for his former wife, Jennifer Riches, to withhold providing her with a domestic violence undertaking he had signed until after they had received written confirmation the DVO application had been withdrawn.
On Tuesday, NT ICAC commissioner Bruce McClintock SC arrived in Darwin to spearhead the investigation into Mr Riches, ordered by Chief Minister Eva Lawler, after he was accused of domestic violence and offering money for an AVO application to be withdrawn.
As ICAC Inspector, Mr McClintock has “full and free” access to ICAC offices and any items in possession or control of the ICAC or any of his staff. According to legislation, the ICAC and staff must “give the inspector all reasonable assistance the inspector requires for an evaluation or dealing with a complaint”.
The Australian this week revealed that Mr Riches’s lawyers made the $20,000 offer to stop Ms Riches’s complaint from reaching the court, saying the matter would end his career if it were to come in front of a judge.
He is on unplanned leave.
The DVO application was served on Mr Riches on May 19 last year but withdrawn shortly after the financial offer was made.
On May 23 last year, Mr Riches agreed to the two-year undertaking preventing him from approaching, contacting or stalking Ms Riches. The undertaking was made without any admission of wrongdoing.
Joseph Cavanagh, lawyer for Mr Riches, wrote in correspondence obtained by The Australian that his client had executed the domestic violence undertaking. “Please see attached Domestic Violence Undertaking executed by Mr Riches 23 May, 2023. Mr Riches seeks that the Domestic Violence Undertaking not be provided to Ms Riches until such time as Ms Riches provides to AFL Withnalls Lawyers written confirmation as to Ms Riches withdrawing the Application for a Domestic Violence Order,” he wrote.
“I look forward to confirmation that Ms Riches has withdrawn her application for a Domestic Violence Order.”
On Wednesday Ms Lawler, who attended a domestic and family violence conference in Alice Springs, said it was not for politicians to provide commentary on the situation.
Deputy ICAC Commissioner Naomi Loudon was announced as Acting ICAC Commissioner on Tuesday, and is set to begin her duties when she returns from planned leave on June 10.
Ms Loudon will inherit the same pay -– almost $500,000 a year – and leave of seven weeks a year as well as expense allowances as Mr Riches.
NT Labor on Wednesday announced MP Paul Kirby was appointed to the Territory’s ICAC parliamentary committee.
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