Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley did not publicly disclose that his sister-in-law works for the company he and his government colleagues helped arrange a special land deal for that could see a massive data centre in the Darwin rural area built, the ABC reported Tuesday, while the Chief Minister has remained silent over the failure to publicly disclose.

The issue has again raised questions about the CLP’s management of conflicts of interest and inconsistent public disclosure practices.

Mr Maley announced the deal to provide Beetaloo Energy exclusive land rights to build a proposed $40 billion 2GW data centre at Weddell on July 22, along with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Lands and Planning Minister Josh Burgoyne.

Mr Maley specifically referenced Beetaloo Digital – a subsidiary of Beetaloo Energy – in the press release that day while touting its economic future, but did not disclose that his sister-in-law Bethaney Maley directly works for the company.

It is unclear when Ms Maley, a “public relations expert”, was hired for the “strategic engagement” role with Beetaloo Digital.

Bethaney Maley is married to Darwin lawyer Peter Maley, Gerard Maley’s brother.

Mr Maley did not disclose that she worked for the company on his register of members’ interests forms, which includes a section specifically titled: “Any other interest where a conflict of interest with a member’s public duties could foreseeably arise or be seen to arise”.

In contrast, Mr Burgoyne disclosed on his register of members’ interests forms that his sister-in-law works for Alice Springs town council, while also disclosing various other extended family members’ occupations under the section calling for disclosures to avoid perceived conflicts of interest.

Mr Maley’s office refused to answer the NT Independent’s questions Tuesday, including why he did not publicly disclose it, if he told Ms Finocchiaro or Cabinet about his sister-in-law working for the company at any time, or if he removed himself from Cabinet discussions about Beetaloo Energy or Beetaloo Digital.

“Minister Maley has made all required declarations in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct and Guidelines,” his office said in an email.

Mr Maley would not say how exactly he internally disclosed the conflict of interest or to whom. It is understood there is an internal conflict of interest form in accordance with the Ministerial Code of Conduct, but it remains unclear when or if he disclosed it through that mechanism, which is not made public.

Ms Finocchiaro’s office also refused to answer questions, including if Mr Maley had informed her of the conflict of interest and how it was managed at Cabinet.

The ABC quoted Centre for Public Integrity director Anthony Whealy stating that Mr Maley’s failure to publicly disclose the conflict could erode public trust in the new data centre plans.

“If the public are not told about it, the problem of it is there emerges a perception of absolute distrust and disquiet in the community,” he said.

“It’s just such a bad look.

“In a development of this size and dimension, it’s fundamentally important that any possible conflict of interest or apprehension of bias be made clear, by disclosure, at the earliest possible moment.

“You have to have a disclosure that is fulsome, transparent and informs everybody, not just fellow ministers.”

It is not the first time the CLP has been caught up in failing to disclose familial connections and business interests. Ms Finocchiaro has still not explained why she failed to publicly disclose her husband was the director of a company that received taxpayer cash through the Darwin Waterfront Corporation amid other unresolved issues with his employment at the DWC.

Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby also failed to publicly disclose her sister’s stepson was the driver of a car that killed an Indigenous man while offering public comments on the controversial case. She later claimed she privately told Ms Finocchiaro about the familial connection and that was all she was required to do.

The NT Independent understands many CLP members are particularly annoyed with Mr Maley’s failure to publicly disclose the family connection involving Beetaloo Energy and the damage it has caused the party in public opinion.

“The [MLAs] are quickly becoming a party of self-interest rather than the party of the Territory,” one party member told the NT Independent.

The ABC also reported that Bethaney Maley is a director with Gerard and Peter in a company called Ammarula Pty Ltd, as well as all three having had interests in other companies including Maley Pty Ltd and Secrett Road Farm Pty Ltd at various times.

Beetaloo Energy confirmed to ABC that Bethaney Maley works for Beetaloo Digital and said “all proper disclosures have been made”. The company did not disclose when she started in the role.