Tis dawning on Territorians that they have replaced one bunch of idiots with another bunch of idiots.
I am sick of Crime, Debt and a lacklustre economy whilst the CLP MLA’s priorities is demonstrated by this article as well as attending as many photo ops daily as possible! This suggets 100% of the decision making is made by the CEO of the Department and not the socializing Ministers who where promising Territorians the world when they where door knocking in June and July last year.
Congratulations to the CLP. A qualified hairdresser is in charge of Dept of Education which is 1/4 of the NTG footprint. A qualified Lawyer with no Health background is in charge of Dept of Health which is another 1/4 of the NTG footprint. A zero qualified person with no business or finance background is in charge of Treasury, the most important department which is “managing” 12 billion, soon to be 15 billion in intergenerational government debt!
Many other Ministers and Deputy Ministers are in portfolios not aligned to their Health/Business/Law backgrounds That misalignment just does not happen randomly. Its deliberate by design by a weak leader.
Owning Telstra shares when you’re overseeing remote schools with Telstra-provided internet isn’t the greatest of conflicts of interest, since out there Telstra is the only game in town. But a conflict it is.
What an appalling article by a scribbler who had the crap kicked out of him by Labor for years. Did you even think of asking if the register was up to date?
So from the first part of the story it would appear all she did wrong was post a private event on her “official” page? How dare a Minister have a life outside politics and dare to it with constituents. What a beat-up.
The High Flying Minister is quite clearly wrong in this instance and its quite clear she has no idea about the important role she is now in, or the duties and responsibilities that come with that role.
Given the caliber of the current batch of CLP Ministers, I guess in 2028 Labor are back in power! They just have to keep their mouths shut for the next 3.5 years!
Hey Boof-Well done having a go at someone that has the virtue not to hide behind a false identity! May l suggest you consider adding HEAD to your label! The NT Independant reports what the NT newspaper won’t! With regard to the article content it’s a no brainer “ Just a typical scenario Territorians are growing oh so sick of, and that’s corruption”. As a public official,accountability is not yours to dismiss. Couldn’t answer how payment was sourced, hmmm perceptions raises its head for a sniff. I would not be surprised if this was a favour for favours or possibly, we may be witness to a perversion of justice should false payments and receipts are being arranged to cover up any possible breach of responsible disclosure.
Sad lack of judgment (at best) and illegal, corrupt conduct (at worst) by an elected representative. Will we ever find out which it is? Thanks to the NT Indie for shining a light on questionable conduct at our expense. Her local electorate of Katherine – and the school kids and embattled teachers of the NT – deserve more respect that this bragging. Next time, let’s be careful who we vote for, there is actually a lot at stake. Vote independent.
In a former NT Public Service Employment Instruction number 12 Code of Conduct issued on 14 December 2011 by former NT Commissioner for Public Employment Mr. Graham Symons which sadly has now been dumbed down with subsequent Codes of Conduct explanatory documents it states –
“20. Acceptance of gifts and benefits Judgement and responsibility 20.1. The acceptance of gifts or benefits by Public Sector Officers is an area requiring sound judgement. Benefits include offers of cash, gifts, free travel, substantial hospitality, accommodation or entertainment. Accepting such gifts or benefits is a matter of judgement for the individual Public Sector Officer concerned who must be satisfied that his or her responsibilities will not in any way be compromised or appear to be compromised by acceptance. The Public Sector Officer will bear personal responsibility for any decision to accept a gift or benefit. Guiding principles 20.2. In deciding whether to accept gifts or benefits, a Public Sector Officer will be guided by the following principles: a) a Public Sector Officer must not solicit or accept any gifts or benefits, the receipt or expectation of which might in any way tend to influence, or appear to tend to influence, the Public Sector Officer in his or her official capacity; b) in the event that any substantial gift, offer or suggestion of such is made directly or indirectly to a Public Sector Officer, the facts shall be reported at the first opportunity to the Chief Executive Officer; c) a Public Sector Officer must avoid all situations in which the appearance may be created that any person or body, through the provision of hospitality or benefits of any kind is securing, or attempting to secure, the influence or favour of the Public Sector Officer; and d) a Public Sector Officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that his or her spouse, children or dependents, or staff members, are not the recipients of benefits which could give the appearance of an indirect attempt to secure the influence or favour of a Public Sector Officer. ………………………. 20.4. A Chief Executive Officer may issue agency guidelines/policy regarding the acceptance of gifts and benefits by Public Sector Officers, consistent with the Code. These should give consideration to the following: a) the relationship of the agency to the donor; b) the primary business of the donor; c) the likelihood of further contact with the donor; d) whether the gift is being accepted as part of a formal exchange of gifts between official representatives of the Northern Territory and another Government; e) the possible adverse consequences to the Northern Territory’s interests which may result from the acceptance or refusal of a gift; and f) the type of gift or benefit which in the context of the agency’s operations can be seen as inconsequential or trivial. 20.5. The agency guidelines/policy do not form part of the Code or the legislation.
Having the Northern Territory becoming a dumbed down and a substandard and a deficient jurisdiction is not the answer to best practice governance.
Are you saying any NT Public Servant, depending on who their friends and family are and who they went to school with, would have had their backside kicked by OCPE for Code of Conduct breaches, if they pulled this stunt?
If it didn’t cost the taxpayer who gives a continental who paid. Sweetheart deals have been for years and will continue to be part of the territory way of doing business
@GBC You need to see the photos of the over-the-top parties that the Ministers and MLAs are invited to by the donators! The current ex ALP Ministers must be upset they no longer are invited to those amazing well-funded shin digs!
The Politicians need to be beyond reproach or in the case of the corrupt Territory, “be seen” to be beyond reproach!
As a comparison with what goes on in Civilization down south: A former Premier of NSW, resigned because he forgot to declare a bottle of wine gifted to him.
Hey CLP party faithful and Fifth Floor Juniors: This is what proper researched journalism looks like:
Feb 7, 2025 1pm “CLP Education Minister Jo Hersey says she will now disclose the gift of a free luxury jet flight to a boozy brunch paid for by a wealthy Katherine businesswoman, after breaching the Disclosures Act by failing to report the gift, with the Opposition calling for the Minister to be reprimanded for flouting NT disclosure laws on multiple occasions.”
Let me be clear, if your a pool cleaner, you dont get invited onto jets (and if you read todays article) get invited into Lambos! If your a Minister who makes large financial decisions, you have to decline all the wining an dining and be ethical. Not withstanding the Minister is a qualified Hair dresser, she has been a politician for some time now, so no excuse.
As a comparison, I don’t see the new batch of 2024 Election winning CLP MLA’s in the media for this sort of stupid credibility damaging aciton!
Tis dawning on Territorians that they have replaced one bunch of idiots with another bunch of idiots.
I am sick of Crime, Debt and a lacklustre economy whilst the CLP MLA’s priorities is demonstrated by this article as well as attending as many photo ops daily as possible! This suggets 100% of the decision making is made by the CEO of the Department and not the socializing Ministers who where promising Territorians the world when they where door knocking in June and July last year.
Congratulations to the CLP.
A qualified hairdresser is in charge of Dept of Education which is 1/4 of the NTG footprint.
A qualified Lawyer with no Health background is in charge of Dept of Health which is another 1/4 of the NTG footprint.
A zero qualified person with no business or finance background is in charge of Treasury, the most important department which is “managing” 12 billion, soon to be 15 billion in intergenerational government debt!
Many other Ministers and Deputy Ministers are in portfolios not aligned to their Health/Business/Law backgrounds
That misalignment just does not happen randomly. Its deliberate by design by a weak leader.
Owning Telstra shares when you’re overseeing remote schools with Telstra-provided internet isn’t the greatest of conflicts of interest, since out there Telstra is the only game in town. But a conflict it is.
What an appalling article by a scribbler who had the crap kicked out of him by Labor for years. Did you even think of asking if the register was up to date?
Hey Boof ol mate!
You Gunner apologize to the scribbler?
Accountable? Speak up then, so there will be no questions remaining to be asked.
Bronwyn Bishop would be impressed!!!
How can this level of corruption be allowed to continue unabated?
Stand down, Minister…
Luxury jet with leather seats? Omg? The audacity. She should travel on nothing other than vinyl. You really should give it a rest Chris.
So from the first part of the story it would appear all she did wrong was post a private event on her “official” page?
How dare a Minister have a life outside politics and dare to it with constituents.
What a beat-up.
You CLP Boys need to give it a rest!
The High Flying Minister is quite clearly wrong in this instance and its quite clear she has no idea about the important role she is now in, or the duties and responsibilities that come with that role.
Given the caliber of the current batch of CLP Ministers, I guess in 2028 Labor are back in power!
They just have to keep their mouths shut for the next 3.5 years!
Hey Boof-Well done having a go at someone that has the virtue not to hide behind a false identity!
May l suggest you consider adding HEAD to your label!
The NT Independant reports what the NT newspaper won’t!
With regard to the article content it’s a no brainer “ Just a typical scenario Territorians are growing oh so sick of, and that’s corruption”.
As a public official,accountability is not yours to dismiss.
Couldn’t answer how payment was sourced, hmmm perceptions raises its head for a sniff. I would not be surprised if this was a favour for favours or possibly, we may be witness to a perversion of justice should false payments and receipts are being arranged to cover up any possible breach of responsible disclosure.
That charter service is the only way to get between Katherine and Darwin that doesn’t take half your day travelling.
Sad lack of judgment (at best) and illegal, corrupt conduct (at worst) by an elected representative. Will we ever find out which it is? Thanks to the NT Indie for shining a light on questionable conduct at our expense. Her local electorate of Katherine – and the school kids and embattled teachers of the NT – deserve more respect that this bragging. Next time, let’s be careful who we vote for, there is actually a lot at stake. Vote independent.
I see on the FB comments that the owner of the aircraft is a personal friend who paid for the whole thing. So nothing to see here.
Ok, I stand corrected. She should have disclosed this as a gift and she didn’t at the time.
With Respect there is plenty to see here.
In a former NT Public Service Employment Instruction number 12 Code of Conduct issued on 14 December 2011 by former NT Commissioner for Public Employment Mr. Graham Symons which sadly has now been dumbed down with subsequent Codes of Conduct explanatory documents it states –
“20. Acceptance of gifts and benefits
Judgement and responsibility
20.1. The acceptance of gifts or benefits by Public Sector Officers is an area requiring sound judgement. Benefits include offers of cash, gifts, free travel, substantial hospitality, accommodation or entertainment. Accepting such gifts or benefits is a matter of judgement for the individual Public Sector Officer concerned who must be satisfied that his or her responsibilities will not in any way be compromised or appear to be compromised by acceptance. The Public Sector Officer will bear personal responsibility for any decision to accept a gift or benefit.
Guiding principles
20.2. In deciding whether to accept gifts or benefits, a Public Sector Officer will be guided by the following principles:
a) a Public Sector Officer must not solicit or accept any gifts or benefits, the receipt or expectation of which might in any way tend to influence, or appear to tend to influence, the Public Sector Officer in his or her official capacity;
b) in the event that any substantial gift, offer or suggestion of such is made directly or indirectly to a Public Sector Officer, the facts shall be reported at the first opportunity to the Chief Executive Officer;
c) a Public Sector Officer must avoid all situations in which the appearance may be created that any person or body, through the provision of hospitality or benefits of any kind is securing, or attempting to secure, the influence or favour of the Public Sector Officer; and
d) a Public Sector Officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that his or her spouse, children or dependents, or staff members, are not the recipients of benefits which could give the appearance of an indirect attempt to secure the influence or favour of a Public Sector Officer.
……………………….
20.4. A Chief Executive Officer may issue agency guidelines/policy regarding the acceptance of gifts and benefits by Public Sector Officers, consistent with the Code. These should give consideration to the following:
a) the relationship of the agency to the donor;
b) the primary business of the donor;
c) the likelihood of further contact with the donor;
d) whether the gift is being accepted as part of a formal exchange of gifts between official representatives of the Northern Territory and another Government;
e) the possible adverse consequences to the Northern Territory’s interests which may result from the acceptance or refusal of a gift; and
f) the type of gift or benefit which in the context of the agency’s operations can be seen as inconsequential or trivial.
20.5. The agency guidelines/policy do not form part of the Code or the legislation.
Having the Northern Territory becoming a dumbed down and a substandard and a deficient jurisdiction is not the answer to best practice governance.
Are you saying any NT Public Servant, depending on who their friends and family are and who they went to school with, would have had their backside kicked by OCPE for Code of Conduct breaches, if they pulled this stunt?
Former NT Public Employment Commissioner scolded for NT public servant lawyer’s ‘reprehensible’ conduct
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/nts-top-public-servant-public-employment-commissioner-vicki-telfer-scolded-for-lawyers-reprehensible-conduct/news-story/2223ed046076b6c9011cde795c68591d
If it didn’t cost the taxpayer who gives a continental who paid. Sweetheart deals have been for years and will continue to be part of the territory way of doing business
@GBC
You need to see the photos of the over-the-top parties that the Ministers and MLAs are invited to by the donators!
The current ex ALP Ministers must be upset they no longer are invited to those amazing well-funded shin digs!
The Politicians need to be beyond reproach or in the case of the corrupt Territory, “be seen” to be beyond reproach!
As a comparison with what goes on in Civilization down south: A former Premier of NSW, resigned because he forgot to declare a bottle of wine gifted to him.
Hey CLP party faithful and Fifth Floor Juniors: This is what proper researched journalism looks like:
Feb 7, 2025 1pm
“CLP Education Minister Jo Hersey says she will now disclose the gift of a free luxury jet flight to a boozy brunch paid for by a wealthy Katherine businesswoman, after breaching the Disclosures Act by failing to report the gift, with the Opposition calling for the Minister to be reprimanded for flouting NT disclosure laws on multiple occasions.”
Let me be clear, if your a pool cleaner, you dont get invited onto jets (and if you read todays article) get invited into Lambos! If your a Minister who makes large financial decisions, you have to decline all the wining an dining and be ethical. Not withstanding the Minister is a qualified Hair dresser, she has been a politician for some time now, so no excuse.
As a comparison, I don’t see the new batch of 2024 Election winning CLP MLA’s in the media for this sort of stupid credibility damaging aciton!