Acting ICAC refuses to publicly disclose conflicts of interest, CLP flags impending ‘changes’ to office
Acting ICAC Greg Shanahan told Estimates hearings on Tuesday that he has recused himself from involv
7 Comments
Submit a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
$6.6 million budget for a bullshit non performing Department that is designed to do nothing?
The circus is a total waste of money.
SUGGESTION- since the NTG outsourced management of all its integrity, probity and corruption challenges to the NT Independent some years ago, the arrangement now needs to be formalised. Incorporate NTI as a statutory body,transfer the $6.6m to Chris Walsh to recruit and manage an office of competent journalist investigators and abolish ICAC already.
I’ve never advocated for privatisation before, but…..
Greg Shanahan’s admissions in estimates today simply confirm that his appointment as acting ICAC Commissioner is untenable. He should not have been offered the job – and he should not have accepted it. Has anyone considered the impact of this mess on public confidence in ICAC and the reputation of the Government?
I believe there is direction in the NT ICAC Act that outlines the requirements for ICAC Commissioners ( and Deputies) and their working relationships in this jurisdiction? But like everything else here, it’s just overlooked. It’s a sham. When politicians and high ranking Police were involved in the formulation of the NT ICAC Act, it was clearly never meant to work.
‘Mr Shanahan, a senior NT public servant for decades and “born and bred Territorian”, was appointed acting ICAC by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro in December despite his connections to some of the most powerful public servants in the Territory over the last 30 years in various roles.’
~Whoopsie Daisy, there goes that trap again:
~Shamahan was not appointed ‘despite’ his connections, he was appointed BECAUSE OF his connections.
‘“And so you declare the conflict and then you manage it. And the conflict can be more than actual, it can also be perceived.”’
~Did he say that with a straight face?
~Did anyone burst out laughing when he said it out loud?
~More secret lists, same with the lobbyist register (remember that old idea that no one talks about anymore?)
~This is the same secret list bullshit and the same “no it’s fine we can manage our own conflicts, nothing to see here, as you were everyone”, as Brian O’Gallagher and Alastair Shields From The Public tried to pull at the recent DWC Pantomime PAC.
~Greg Shamahan is also a lawyer, he would know what apprehended bias is:
~This is from the Australian Government Australia Law Reform Commission web site:
~Where a party to litigation before the courts has concerns that the judge presiding over the matter may be biased, the party has two options. The first is to try to show that the judge is actually biased — but this is difficult to prove and is rarely alleged. More commonly, the focus is on appearances: a party will try to show that the circumstances might give rise to a reasonable perception that the judge might be biased (for example, because the judge is close friends with one of the witnesses). This is known as ‘apprehended bias’. If apprehended bias is shown, judges must remove themselves from the case, even if they are sure that in fact they could decide the case impartially.
~So, if we look at what CLP Brian O’Gallagher said openly during the hearing about his prior relationship with Alastair Shields From The Public:
‘“I’ve worked with Alastair Shields on a number of major projects, including the railway project and the Inpex project, probably 10 or 20 years ago, I’ll just declare that, I certainly don’t believe it’s a conflict of interest in my assessment of this….we’re all into that at the moment.”’
‘Alastair Shields From The Public: “I acknowledge our time working together on the railway project and other projects as well.”’
‘But on Tuesday he was asked directly by Ms Davis if conflicts are being dealt with appropriately in the office.’
~Sorry Justine, what a stupid question to ask. Seriously, stop it.
~What are you expecting him to say? No? Not really?
~Of course he’s going to say Yes. Stop wasting valuable time on easy to swat away questions.
~They must all be wetting their pants giggling at questions like that. Nice easy day at the office, not one person stressed or worked up or crying that their feelings are hurt.
‘“So, I think I can still deal with most matters that come through.”’
~He shouldn’t be there, full stop. Stop playing by their Rules. You should have used all your time talking to him to put on the record that “He shouldn’t be there.” “Resign or be sacked.”
‘[LiaR] insisted that appointing a man who has deep connections and friendships to the most powerful public servants in the Territory was done “so that people can have confidence” that the OICAC is working, “while we work through what those next steps might look like”.’
~We’re not sure if she really is that clueless or she’s just gaslighting everyone in full public view. It’s hard to know which one it is at times.
~I personally think gaslighting, hubby thinks it’s stupidity.
~No calls from either party, the ALP nor the CLP, not even from Justine Davis herself:
~Someone say it, over and over again, instead of asking pathetic low ball questions, just keep repeating this:
“Please leave Greg, The public has no confidence in you being there.”
~Stop asking him if he thinks he’s doing a good job. Wake the f**k up!
~There is only one group who would gut this place, clean it out and clean it up and knows about conflicts, nepotism, TICKS, apprehended bias, actual bias and how to protect and encourage whistleblowing.
~That is a multiple NT and SA Government whistleblower who knows this stuff from the inside.
~Change For Better is the only group equipped and motivated to Change The Game.
~Greg Shamahan, LiaR Finocchiaro and Selena Still Silent will continue to do SFA about it because they all benefit and the NT suffers because of them.
~Greg Shamahan conducted the secret ICAC review under the ALP Gunner Government remember that included recommendations that politicians not be investigated by the ICAC for unsatisfactory conduct and that individuals found to have engaged in misconduct not be publicly named.
~@Nelson McLean: there’s that trap again: it’s only a waste of money if you thought they might actually be interested in doing what an ICAC is supposed to do.
~If, however, you want to do the opposite, with a long term career NT public servant and Chief Minister taking the piss out out of everyone at every opportunity then it’s money well spent.
~Remember, the ALP never really wanted an ICAC in the first place and when public opinion forced them to create one all the MLAs tried to exempt themselves from its gaze.
~Gunner, to his credit this time, rejected the idea from Greg Shamahan and ALL his NT POLITICIAN mates.
~Remember this: ALL NT POLITICIANS:
‘Gunner rejects pollies’ exemption from ‘conduct’ clause
TERRITORY politicians have moved to carve themselves out of scrutiny for conduct including “substantial mismanagement of public resources” by a future Independent Commission Against Corruption. The parliamentary committee tasked with scrutinising the ICAC bill this week recommended MLAs be excluded from the proposed definition of “unsatisfactory conduct” by tacking themselves onto a clause intended to safeguard the independence of the courts.’
https://ntindependent.com.au/icac-act-review-politicians-should-be-exempt-from-investigation-corrupt-individuals-not-named-as-full-report-remains-hidden/
~So f**king rigged. Everywhere.
~And not one person pushing for This Sick Game to Change. Happy to sometimes tinker round the edges, stroke senior public servants’ egos, ask them to regulate themselves, ignore them when they take corporate gifts, wow, just wow.
~Look at what we’ve let them do to us. (sorry for getting a bit sweary there) **slightly ashamed emoji**
The Territory is not a joke. It is a corrupt cesspool managed and directed by members of a Public Service bonhomie. Deeply ensconced and expert at pulling strings attached to compliant, utterly inexperienced politicians. Who of themselves gush acceptance, agreement or; face their term of Office on Back Benches? ICAC, FROM VERY BEGINNING. Nothing more than a deep toilet pan in which unwelcome fomentation disposed of. And still, Federal Govt(s) pass we territorians bye. A payment here and a payment there to NT Govt(s). And not a scrubby hand to be found. “Just” . . . stay within your own Territory borders?