Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne accused of interfering with Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority’s independence
NT Labor has joined the criticism of the appointment of a private consultant with CLP connections to the board of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. See why.
The NT opposition and crossbenchers have joined the criticism of the appointment of a private consultant to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority board just days after he was announced as the Planning Commission chair.
They have accused the government of creating an “unacceptable conflict of interest” by promoting the former Alice Springs Deputy Mayor Mark Coffey to both the Aboriginal sacred sites watchdog and the development advisory body.
Mr Coffey is yet to confirm if he would step down from his two private consultancy firms — Mark Coffey Consulting and Centred Solutions — following his board appointments.
Last week Lands, Planning and Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne defended the dual appointments, saying the fellow Alice Springs man had “extensive experience in planning, especially in rural and remote communities”.
“His appointment to the AAPA board is justified by his profound understanding of how policy interacts with service delivery and the importance of community engagement to achieve outcomes,” Mr Burgoyne said.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Coffey, or that he is not qualified for either position.
Mr Coffey said his two board appointments were “a decision of government”, and maintaining the integrity of both independent bodies was “paramount”.
“I intend to fully comply with the relevant processes, procedures and legislative requirements of both boards,” he said.
Both the NTPC and AAPA said their agencies had clear processes in place to identify, disclose and manage any conflicts.
However, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said Mr Coffey’s dual appointments “simply don’t pass community expectations”.
“This is another example of the CLP Government putting its political interests over accountable decision-making,” Ms Uibo said.
“How can Territorians have confidence in development decisions when the person presiding over the Planning Commission is also on the AAPA Board as well as getting paid to advise companies on navigating government processes?”
Johnston Independent Justine Davis said this was also part of a wider “pattern” of appointments that blurred the lines between independent oversight and government influence.
Ms Davis said this was not a question of Mr Coffey’s qualifications, but about the perceived independence and integrity of the two distinct agencies.
“By placing the same individual on two bodies that must remain at arm’s length — one responsible for approving major developments, the other for protecting sacred sites — the government is creating a clear and unacceptable conflict of interest,” Ms Davis said.
“Public confidence in our institutions depends on robust, independent decision-making, free from perceived or actual interference.”
Ms Davis said private consultant’s overlapping government roles could raise questions about “whether the interests of developers are being prioritised over the rights of all Territorians, including traditional owners, and the protection of sacred places”.
Greens member for Nightcliff Kat McNamara said the dual appointments could pose an “obvious conflict of interest” at a time where sacred site protections were “under threat”.
“We need to be platforming strong First Nations voices on AAPA, not the voices of developers and their representatives,” McNamara said.
The former Alice Springs deputy mayor has CLP connections in the red centre, with Barkly MLA Steve Edgington posting on Facebook that Mr Coffey was a “good friend and former work colleague”.
Mr Coffey’s appointment follows the resignation of AAPA board members Nigel Browne and Rachel Perkins, and the replacement of long-serving chief executive Benedict Scambary.
In August Mr Burgoyne announced the appointment of Robert Pocock as the interim AAPA chief executive the day before Dr Scambary’s contract concluded, stating that the decision “ reflects our government’s mandate for change”.
“It’s time for new energy, fresh perspectives, and a different leadership approach to ultimately position the Authority to grow, succeed and play a key role in the Territory’s economic advancement,” Mr Burgoyne said.
Both Mr Browne and Ms Perkins have been vocal in their criticism of the controversial amendments to the Sacred Sites Act, which allow new developments to use historic AAPA authority certificates — even when the projects are for an entirely different purpose and could impact sacred sites.
In September, the Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman resigned from the AAPA board in protest after a 21-year-old authority certificate was amended, circumventing Larrakia consultation for an 11-storey hotel block at the Darwin Waterfront, which it says will expose a registered sacred site.
“(It was) heartbreaking to watch the senior men and women of the AAPA board, after days of sadness and struggle, issue the certificate they knew was morally wrong but legally required,” Ms Perkins said.
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Originally published as Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne accused of interfering with Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority’s independence
