EDITORIAL: The Finocchiaro CLP Government failed again on Friday to order a full independent investigation into the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, following the latest revelations that tied the alleged misconduct to the highest levels of the NT Public Service.
The waterfront precinct and its board have long been a playground for rich bureaucrats and the politically-connected, but the glimpse behind the curtain provided this week has revealed what appears to be a cesspit of undisclosed conflicts of interest, nepotism, cronyism, possible misuse of public funds, and various other allegations of serious maladministration and possible misconduct linked back to those who held the most senior roles in the NTPS.
We all know nepotism is rampant in the public service here, but this is something else entirely, staggering in its arrogance, involving some of the most senior bureaucrats who have played key roles influencing various governments, both CLP and Labor.
Which might explain why this current government has no appetite to hold anyone accountable.
It’s these kinds of public servants who run the Northern Territory after all, not the inexperienced pollies we hire to bumble their way through their portfolios every four years in an effort to maintain the illusion of democracy. The insidious web of senior public servants in the NT furthering their own ends runs deep and has suffocated the advancement of the Territory for decades.
What we reported this week and last, by publicly revealing internal government documents painted a truly Territory story.
The secret memos show then-waterfront board member Andrew Kirkman actively lobbied a sitting chief minister to give his mate a massive pay rise for a two-day-a-week job as CEO of the waterfront – boosting his salary to $116,000 – while Kirkman himself was temporarily acting in the role of head public servant last year, with conflicts of interest appearing not to have been effectively managed at the highest level of the public service.
Less than six months later, Kirkman’s wife was hired for an unadvertised role at the DWC with a pay package so large the waterfront refuses to quantify it out of embarrassment.
Then we learned that two years before pulling that one off, waterfront CEO Alastair Shields – the man Kirkman sought a massive pay rise for – actively lobbied another sitting chief minister to start paying his mate, Kirkman’s sister and former head public servant, Jodie Ryan, a whopping $44,000-plus for sitting on a board that only meets six times a year.
His modest proposal was rejected by then-chief minister Natasha Fyles (which we’re sure was for her own political reasons and not because of any sudden moral clarity) but it shows what these people are capable of and their complete lack of regard for the public’s best interests.
The waterfront was losing massive amounts of money at the time, bailed out by taxpayers.
Instead of moving to appoint a board member from the government, which would have come at no cost to taxpayers, or leaving the role vacant, Shields tried to transfer his mate’s do-nothing job to one at taxpayer expense – which Ryan was in on according to the memos, as well as the then-acting head public servant – at a time when police officers, nurses, doctors, firefighters, corrections staff, and all our other hard-working public servants were dealing with a wage freeze, which Ryan helped implement as chief executive of the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet.
The audacity is staggering, but has been going on since we first built a cement building here and filled it with public servants. This time however, it’s finally unravelling in front of everyone.
How many good public servants have we lost over the years, people who could have made a positive contribution to the Northern Territory and tried, but who packed up and went back down south because it just wasn’t worth the trouble once they came up against the sprawling and multi-headed Northern Territory Public Service Establishment?
Both Kirkman and Shields have denied any wrongdoing in the waterfront matter.
Perhaps they too would like to see a proper investigation, so we can restore some confidence and determine what happened at the waterfront that went to the highest levels of the public service.
But it won’t be that easy thanks to the current Finocchiaro CLP Government, which has behaved for the last seven months much like those CLP governments of yore, appointing mates to important statutory roles, including the judiciary, with no oversight and overlooking serious integrity issues in the public service because it doesn’t suit them to clean it up, given their own involvement.
Minister implicated in Darwin Waterfront jobs-for-mates scandal
Tourism Minister and Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby said on Friday that her requested “briefing” into the waterfront matter from DCM&C – which now apparently includes the waterfront board itself assisting with the briefing – will be delivered to her next week, at which point she will determine what steps to take.
Which is all for show. Who in their right mind seeks advice from the very people involved in the alleged misconduct?
There are a few reasons for the government’s failure to investigate this matter independently, but a major reason right now has to do with the Minister’s own complicity in the scandal.
Just four short months ago, Boothby involved herself in the mess by unilaterally appointing Katie Woolf’s husband Pat Bellot as chair of the board through a murky process that appears not to have been publicly advertised.
It’s hard to hold people accountable for their actions when the Minister has engaged in the same kind of cronyism herself.
This is what successive governments have done at the Darwin Waterfront Corporation since its inception in the early 2000s and it needs to be cleaned up as a matter of urgent public importance, through a proper independent investigation, with anyone found to have engaged in misconduct dealt with appropriately to restore the public’s confidence in all of its servants.
But it was a response by Ms Boothby in relation to a question at a press conference on Friday afternoon that was the most telling about this Finocchiaro CLP Government’s approach to dealing with the alleged graft and corruption in the public service that has gone unchecked for decades.
Asked by the ABC why she, as the Minister now responsible for the racing and wagering regulator, accepted gifted tickets to attend the Darwin Cup paid for by the gambling industry, Ms Boothby uttered the latest ‘Boothby-ism’ that she’s quickly becoming known for:
“Many ministers from across many generations have accepted those things,” she said with a straight face.
This is why the Northern Territory will never succeed. Not as long as we have political parties, politicians and public servants who think it’s their rightful inheritance to accept gifts from the industry players they’re supposed to be monitoring, backslapping each other at exclusive get-togethers and enriching themselves at the expense of the public.
The shits are killing us.
Well done NT Independent. The talk is people are now thinking the change that is needed for the future of the NT is not going to happen. 17 billion in debt managed by cronies will indeed spiral our of control.
Don’t worry ‘Davo’, that Change For Better people are craving is very definitely coming.
And ladies and gentlemen please applaud the fact that there is one most favourable attribute the NT has that other don’t, that is a truly impartial ballsy media agency for the people- The NT Independent!
We as Territorians must finally accept this federal and territory merry go round of ALPCLP has taken the territory as low as it can go!
Now , given the clear evidence of this sickness that has shattered the public trust and faith with its failure to dutifully , and with some semblance of morality, exercise procedural fairness, conduct and with respect to public monies, adherence to procurement guidelines.
While the NT has a high degree of autonomy, the federal government retains ultimate authority and can override territory laws.
I am the only federal candidate for this upcoming election that has been heard to say l intend to bring the full weight of the Federal Government and its agencies down on this Territory shit show!
I am aware that the Federal Government has the ultimate authority to dissolve this present CLP government.
Please consider placing a No. 1 for myself as the senate candidate for One Nation!
Why? Because lm as pissed off and disgusted as you!
Used to be while Labor was hammering it, banning it from press conferences etc, now like a beaten dog, it loves Labor
Where on Gods Earth did you interpret the “Now Loves Labor?”
Did I miss something?
@’Graeme R’, it’s better not to engage with ‘Boof’s, people like that just spout petty partisan rubbish when it suits them in order to get a reaction from other people, any people. Seems his analyses never make it to more than one line either. A true intellectual heavyweight. Much like most of our current MLAs. This is the only oxygen I’ll give him from now on.
May I respectfully request that the NT Independant provide all information to the territory public with regards to all matters relating to Andrew Kirkman’s sister, the roles she held, actions she’s taken that may have been cause to her untimely departure of any roles held. I believe this disclosure would be in the NT community’s interest. It’s the one domino that is holding up the entire fall of the CLP/ALP mafia culture. Exactly why we need a third party in the territory to break this marriage up. Your One nation Senate candidate Darren Nugent.
Let’s get-em!
“It’s the one domino that is holding up the entire fall of the CLP/ALP mafia culture.”
~fret not, there will be plenty more, the whole place is rotten to the core and with many disgruntled employees watching as this mob appropriate all the millions of dollars that they do and have done for many years, it is only a matter of time before more ‘secret’ documents find their way outside of the building.
~Obviously, the ICAC Office was supposed to be doing this job but as well know well by now, it has been set up to fail. We wouldn’t go anywhere near ICAC with those high level NT Public Servants controlling the flow of information as well as higher level legal heads deeming the further investigation of ‘lying and racist Police officers’ not worthwhile (for her and her protected class mates).
~Also, ‘Darren’, it wouldn’t matter what was disclosed to the public. All bodies, Agencies and Offices and Parties that are supposed to regulate, control, investigate and punish will simply hoard and quarantine the information sent to them and do nothing in response as they have been doing successfully for a long time, because they’ve been allowed to and supported to do this by whatever ‘leader’ is in power at the time. They’re both as bad as each other.
~We recommend that disgruntled employees find a way to get all information to the media, especially here. Set up a disposable email address which doesn’t need a phone number or another email address to verify it: tutanota[dot]com for example, but there are others, don’t use your home internet like Phil Brennan did when he was lying online about ex-NT Government whistleblower Ferg Ferguson (check online if you don’t believe us: ‘philsfacebookflop’) and was uncovered by legal action, lost his job, had to publish an apology in the NTNews but then, of course, he was sacked from NT DoE and walked down the street to get a new job in NT DoH.
“Exactly why we need a third party in the territory to break this marriage up.”
~We couldn’t agree more and we know of one which is coming soon: a Change For Better is upon us.
“Let’s get-em!”
~We also couldn’t agree more!
Good morning,
Please, l ask everyone to just spend 5 minutes googling the Darwin Port Sale, just 5 minutes!!
What you will you find?
(1) Albanese used to” A review of Darwin port sale” as part of his election campaign
(2) Albanese never released the report but Labor stated there was no issue and this was just 6 weeks before Albanese went to Beijing!
(3) The CLP sold the Port
(4) Please Google “ Government release- Port of Darwin Lease 20/10/23- This is a the Labor Government. Key words at beginning of report state “ IT WAS NOT NECESSARY To vary or CANCEL THE LEASE”!
Ladies and gents Albanese Labor government are bullshitting you!
The Liberal Morrison government bullshits to you!
The ALP CLP BULLSHIT TO YOU!
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT OBAMA STATED THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS DEAL.
The ALP, CLP and Liberals have exposed and left Australia’s borders exposed and now, weeks before election they promise action on a serious matter that should have never seen the light of day!
Think about the ANZACS our silence and our vote for either of these parties is a disrespect to the thousands of lives lost fighting for Australia and our freedom!
With the help and assistance of our web crawling friend: chatgpt[dot]com:
NT Independent – Facebook
2 days ago — Jodie Ryan and Alastair Shields were both on the panel that selected Landbridge to lease….
‘Jodie Ryan and Alastair Shields worked together as part of a panel involved in the selection process for the lease of the Port of Darwin. They were key figures in the decision to lease the port to the Chinese company Landbridge Group for a 99-year term. This decision, made in 2015, was highly controversial, attracting political scrutiny and public debate. The lease of the Port of Darwin to Landbridge became a contentious issue due to national security concerns, given that the port is a strategic location for Australian defense and trade.
Alastair Shields, the former CEO of the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, and Jodie Ryan, in her role as Chief Executive of the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet at the time, both played pivotal roles in this decision-making process.’
“The shits are killing us.”
~we prefer: the ticks are killing us, slowly sucking the public purse dry and infecting and weakening the host.
~Something is being done about this. We may be living in darkness for now but Sunlight is coming along with lasting systemic Change.
Here is our last pair of reality-glasses for you to wear so you can see what’s really going on.
We mentioned a Government Gazette in a previous comment, it’s online too for public viewing:
https://ntindependent.com.au/i-dont-have-any-answers-minister-draws-blank-on-why-waterfront-corp-under-her-control-chief-of-staffs-conflict-raised/
In July 2024 Eva Lawler appointed 6 people to be on the Racing and Wagering Commission in the NT Government. From their current NT Government web site these 6 people were:
Alastair Shields (chair) – one of the main names in this current saga. If you use AI to dig around the internet we’re sure you’ll find many more instances and connections in his NT work history and Facebook friends list. DWC alone obviously wasn’t enough for him.
Cindy Bravos (deputy chair) – left her Territory Director-General of Licensing job after being appointed by the CLP, transitioned to retirement then was appointed by Fyles to this Racing and Wagering Commission. Nice work if you can get it in your retirement!
Susan Kirkman (member) – wife of Andrew Kirkman, one of the other main names in this current saga – Executive Director Roles: Ms. Kirkman has held significant positions, including Executive Director of Strategic Services and Infrastructure and Corporate Services: She served as the Executive Director of Infrastructure and Corporate Services, We’re sure there is much more, just dig for a few hours with your AI friends.
Scott Perrin (member) – from the mining and aquaculture business…..perfect for Racing and Wagering Commission work, eh?
Rachael Shanahan (member) – Wife of Greg Shanahan, both long term NT public servants and both close friends of ex-SFNT Meredith Day who after rising up the NT Government legal ranks to become a NT judge, alongside Michael Grant who went to University with Alastair Shields and who both worked in the SFNT/DoJ offices, made a special call out to the Shanahans and their long term friendship while in NT Government. This will almost as nauseating as when Eva Lawler spoke about her great friend Hylton Hayes in her MLA inaugural speech who later received a secret no tender contract from her Dept of Education.
Ian Curnow (member) – ‘Transition to New Opportunities: After nearly four decades in the public sector, Ian announced in December 2023 his decision to explore new challenges and achieve a better work-life balance, concluding his tenure with NT Fisheries.’ – here you go Ian, a nice little earner for your retirement/winding down from public service life, luv Eva. x
Eva Lawler personally appointed 50% of the Members to this Commission: Alastair Shields, Andrew Kirkman’s wife and Greg Shanahan’s wife.
Lia Finocchairo personally appointed Grew Shanahan to the ICAC Office.
And so the 2 party cabal continues sucking money out of the system for ourselves and our friends Merry-Go-Round continues.
We know they’re all like Ticks feeding of a weakened host, but we have to remember that this has all been going on mostly in secret while one group (ALP) squandered $8 Billion and added it to our net debt figure. Now the CLP is increasing the debt ceiling instead of trying to live within our financial means, while both parties collaborate to openly supporting their friends to suck yet more millions and millions out of the NT’s pot of money.
Then telling us to ‘walk over to the DPP if you think someone has done something illegal/unlawful’…..now I’m off on holiday, see ya later fools.
TICKS.
Territorian(s), Australian(s) have never suffered governance more enmeshed corroded than our current CLP / ALP / Public Service(s) . . . then we too; are lying! No transparency. No accountability. There is no future. Even the Federal Govt that has a direct responsibility associated with NT Governance . . . has failed every Territorian. What we are observing due to “NT Independent” is a potential termination of OUR future(s). Belief in Democracy/