UPDATED: The Fyles Government has refused to explain why Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker was asked to resign on Friday, while the Opposition and the union representing police have called for an immediate explanation to Territorians, which comes as Police Minister Kate Worden and acting commissioner Michael Murphy were seen on a plane to Sydney on Sunday for federal police meetings.

The NT Independent confirmed on Saturday from different sources that Mr Chalker was asked to resign following a Cabinet meeting on Friday ahead of planned holiday leave. He instead went on “indefinite leave” with Mr Murphy named acting commissioner.

Unusually, the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services has not been notified by the Fyles Government about Mr Chalker’s employment status and said the last they heard he was on “planned leave”.

On Monday morning, Attorney General Chansey Paech was interviewed on ABC Radio on another matter, but refused to confirm that Mr Chalker is no longer the commissioner when asked.

“What I can tell you is that the Northern Territory Police Commissioner is on leave and Deputy Commissioner Murphy is acting while the commissioner’s on leave,” he said repeatedly.

Asked why he was keeping the facts “so secret”, Mr Paech repeated his line about Mr Chalker being on “leave”.

Opposition CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the Chief Minister needs to explain to the public and NT police officers what is happening with Mr Chalker.

“Our police force is in crisis and has been abandoned by Labor,” she said.

“Natasha Fyles must provide immediate advice on Jamie Chalker’s ‘indefinite leave’, our police cannot wait any longer for her to make a decision. The CLP has tried six times to hold an Inquiry into our police crisis, including an examination of the police executive, which has been ignored by Labor.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has not released any statement on the matter, but spent the weekend posting on social media about her own Easter party and other events.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, she repeated the same talking point as Mr Paech, telling reporters, “I have indicated to you that Mr Chalker is on leave … that’s all I will be saying”.

She would not say if she had confidence in Mr Chalker.

The NT Police Association called on the government to “urgently and directly” address Mr Chalker’s status as commissioner following reports he was asked to resign.

“It’s frustrating and disappointing that the Chief Minister refused to clarify these reports, or whether she has confidence in Commissioner Chalker, during a media conference in Darwin this afternoon,” NTPA president Paul McCue said.

“Chief Minister Fyles must address these reports directly and clarify the situation immediately.

“Every single day our members are faced with challenging, volatile, and dangerous situations, and the last thing they need is the added stress and uncertainty caused by rumors about the leadership.

“Members deserve a transparent explanation from government and reassurance that the NT Police Force leadership is stable and prioritising our members’ resourcing, safety and well-being.

“The longer the NT Government avoids clarifying this issue, the more it erodes the confidence and trust of both our members and the public.”

NT Police media director Maggie McKeown confirmed Mr Murphy was still acting commissioner while interstate with the Minister, but said the police force has not been given any update on Mr Chalker’s status.

“Commissioner Chalker is currently on approved leave, as planned,” she said. “NTPFES have received no updates from the NT Government regarding the employment of Commissioner Chalker.”

Labor MLA Mark Turner, who was an NT Police officer before being elected in 2020, said he was also concerned the government was not providing clarity to the public and to the police about Mr Chalker.

“It’s certainly unprecedented in my two decades of policing and I echo her [Ms McKeown’s] concerns that policing is a 24/7 role and it’s very difficult for the troops on the ground when there’s been no official statement,” he said.

On Saturday, Mr Turner issued a statement saying he supported the decision to remove Mr Chalker from the role following years of damage done to the NT Police force under his leadership. He has repeatedly called for a federal inquiry into NT Police management issues.

“If it is as reported, I stand in support of the Minister for Police’s decision to call for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police,” he said.

“It is a critical first step in addressing the issues within the force and rebuilding the public’s trust in the institution. The hurt caused by the recent events will take years to heal, but we must start the recovery process for the sake of those directly affected, their families, and the wider Northern Territory public. There is a long list of broken police officers and their families who deserve better. Our communities deserve better. We all deserve better.”