Chief Minister Eva Lawler presents ICAC Inspectors report to NT Parliament

The NT’s corruption commissioner will face another probe into allegations of inappropriate behaviour as the reasons why he was cleared of any wrongdoing over DV allegations were made public. Read what was tabled.

A report by the ICAC Inspector tabled in the Northern Territory Parliament has detailed why he cleared Commissioner Michael Riches of wrongdoing over his handling of domestic violence allegations made by his ex-wife.

But Mr Riches will face another probe into allegations of inappropriate behaviour that were raised by members of his staff during Inspector Bruce McClintock’s investigation.

“Those employees made allegations which, if true, would be of great concern,” Mr McClintock wrote.

Mr Riches, who is on leave, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he has always acted in a professional manner towards his staff.

He is now not expected to return to work until after the August 24 election, unless the investigation is completed sooner.

NT ICAC Commissioner Michael Riches with his now-estranged wife Jen Riches. Picture: Supplied

In relation to the allegations raised by Mr Riches’ ex-wife, Jennifer, Mr McClintock said it was impossible for him to determine if Mr Riches had engaged in controlling behaviour or domestic violence, as she had alleged in media reports and social media posts.

However, the Inspector cleared Mr Riches of wrongdoing in relation to four other allegations, including that he used security cameras to spy on Ms Riches, that he offered her $20,000 to suppress an allegation of domestic violence, that he failed to disclose the matter to the Inspector, and that he lied about trying to arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss the matter.

Mr McClintock said there was no basis to suggest Mr Riches was trying to “buy off” his ex-wife when he offered her $20,000 as part of a partial property settlement.

“All that occurred was perfectly unexceptional settlement offers made by the lawyers for the two people in question,” he wrote.

“In my opinion, having considered the documentary evidence, this allegation is not true.”

Mr McClintock said he had viewed vision from the security cameras at Mr Riches’ home, which Ms Riches’ alleged the Commissioner had used to feel uncomfortable, and to monitor her in the living and dining areas and the hallway.

Chief Minister of Northern Territory Eva Lawler tabled the report in parliament. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Assuming they are directed now as they were in 2023, they do not show hallways or any area of the home other than the living and dining areas,” Mr McClintock wrote.

“Mr Riches informs me that the reason the cameras are installed was for security reasons and are in fact intended to show the windows and external doors from which entry could potentially be made.

“I consider Mr Riches’ explanation of the location of these cameras as for security purposes to be acceptable.”

Mr McClintock dismissed an allegation Mr Riches had failed to report his ex-wife’s domestic violence order application to the Inspector, saying the matter was disclosed.

“He asked for my advice on whether he should resign because of the application and I said that would be premature in my view,” he wrote.

“I asked him to keep me updated as to the progress of the application, which he did.”

Mr McClintock also detailed Mr Riches’ attempts to organise a meeting with former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles to discuss “a personal matter” immediately after receiving his wife’s application for a DVO.

He said the meeting was arranged for 3pm on May 23 last year, but did not go ahead because Mr Riches notified Ms Fyles’ office at 9.05am on May 23 that the meeting was no longer necessary.

“This was after Ms Riches had agreed to withdraw the application,” Mr McClintock wrote.

“I do not think there can be any valid criticism of failure to disclose the existence of an application which had been withdrawn one or two working days after it had been filed.”

Mr McClintock said he had referred the allegations made by Mr Riches’ staff to Chief Minister Eva Lawler.

After tabling Mr McClintock’s report in Parliament, Ms Lawler said she had immediately referred the allegations made by ICAC employees to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment.

She said an external investigator had been engaged to conduct an investigation.

Ms Lawler said Mr Riches was on approved leave which would cease on September 22, or at the conclusion of the investigation process.

Originally published as Chief Minister Eva Lawler presents ICAC Inspectors report to NT Parliament