Top NT cop Jamie Chalker’s sacking case ‘headed for settlement’

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker will hold off on filing his evidence against Chief Minister Natasha Fyles for another week in a move that suggests the parties might be negotiating an imminent settlement in the costly case.

NT police commissioner Jamie Chalker. Picture: Liam Mendes

Northern Territory police commissioner Jamie Chalker will hold off on filing his evidence against Chief Minister Natasha Fyles for another week in a move that suggests the parties might be negotiating an imminent settlement in the costly case.

The Australian has obtained a NT Supreme Court order that sets down a new timetable for parties to serve their affidavit evidence in the high-profile employment dispute that centres on the sanctity of a police commissioner’s tenure.

Mr Chalker had been due to file and serve his affidavit evidence and any notices to produce by 4pm on Monday, but on Wednesday judge John Reeves ordered he now had until May 1.

The civil matter is listed for a hearing in Darwin from June 7 to 9 before judge Judith Kelly.

Legal sources speculate that the timetable change means parties have begun negotiating a settlement but Mr Chalker’s lawyers refused to comment.

On Tuesday, Ms Fyles said she was negotiating with Mr Chalker but would not clarify what she was negotiating.

“We have been in negotiations with Commissioner Chalker,” she said. “We continue to negotiate with Commissioner Chalker.

“Commissioner Chalker has decided to remain on leave while those negotiations continue.”

The Australian reported last week that it was unlikely the NT government would allow Mr Chalker to put on his evidence or expose Ms Fyles and Police Minister Kate Worden to cross-examination, especially after it was flagged during last week’s court hearing that Mr Chalker was likely to issue subpoenas for communications between Ms Fyles and Ms Worden in relation to the bungled attempt to remove him from his role.

Sources said the defendants were likely to offer an attractive package to Mr Chalker before the matter reaches a hearing.

“It’s highly unlikely any responsible lawyer acting for the Territory will put on any evidence of a chief minister or the police minister on these politically contentious matters, or expose them to cross-examination by ­Arthur Moses,” a legal expert said.

This comes after Ms Fyles in March asked Mr Chalker to resign, accusing him of making an unauthorised request for federal help to fight out-of-control crime in Alice Springs.

After receiving the letter on March 31, Mr Chalker hired high-profile Sydney legal duo Arthur Moses and Rebekah Giles and launched legal action against Ms Fyles, Ms Worden and the government to prevent his removal.

Mr Moses said the main claim in Ms Fyles’ letter was wrong.

“They wouldn’t have sent a ­letter, unless they had a basis to back that up, so one would hope that they’ve got their ducks lined up,” he said.

Mr Walker’s fixed-period four-year term was due to expire in mid-November with an option for a further four-year term.

The move to seek his removal with only six months to go has raised concerns about the independence of the proposed new commissioner of police. Last week’s Supreme Court hearing revealed that Mr Chalker’s security of tenure for the duration of his appointment was an important point of principle to him.