Former Solomon Islands police commissioner Matthew Varley has been named as the NT’s new Corrections Commissioner.

Mr Varley was also a former assistant commissioner for the Australian Federal Police and was most recently in the role of general manager of youth justice with Territory Families.

He succeeds former NT corrections commissioner Scott McNairn who died in August 2021 in palliative care in Brisbane, while Acting Commissioner David Thompson served as interim commissioner.

“I’m humbled by this appointment, and genuinely excited to have the opportunity to lead the women and men of NT Correctional Services into the future,” Mr Varley said in a statement.

“As a former police officer, and now having worked in the NT youth justice system, I understand that community safety is connected to appropriate and effective correctional programs.”

He acknowledged that the job of correctional services officers is a “critical one” and said that he’s keen to work with all the staff of NT Correctional Services “to deliver a fine service for the Territory.”

Mr Varley worked with the AFP for more than two decades.

In 2017, he became AFP’s Assistant Commissioner (National Manager Workforce & Development).

He was also Commissioner of Police at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force where he was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

From 2020, he was Associate Partner & Senior Advisor, Asia Pacific at Palladium, a Business Consulting and Service firm.

For eight months from July 2021, he served as General Manager for Youth Justice & Emergency Management at NT’s Territory Families, Housing and Communities.

Attorney General Selena Uibo said she welcomed the experience Mr Varley would bring to the role.

“The Territory Labor Government pays its respects and remembers the significant contribution the late Commissioner Scott McNairn made to the Territory during his time as Corrections Commissioner,” she said.

“I also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Acting Commissioner David Thompson during the interim period. I sincerely thank him for stepping up and leading Corrections during a challenging time with the global pandemic.”