Thursday 23 May 2024
The ICAC has released an investigation report addressing the conduct of the former Chief Minister, The Honourable Michael Gunner during the caretaker period in the lead-up to the 2020 General Election in the Northern Territory.
The investigation commenced in response to 2 allegations of improper conduct during that period.
The first allegation was that, in the lead-up to the 2020 General Election, members of staff of the Office of the Chief Minister had engaged in political work during office hours to support the Northern Territory Labor election campaign (Allegation #1).
The second allegation was that, during the caretaker period in the weeks leading to the 2020 General Election, the former Chief Minister and other public officers misused public resources by undertaking taxpayer-funded travel for political purposes (Allegation #2).
This report focuses on Allegation #2, specifically addressing 3 trips to remote locations. The documentary evidence suggests that the Chief Minister, together with ministerial staff, travelled on taxpayer-funded charter aircraft to 3 remote communities at the same time that mobile voting centres were open.
The report makes 7 recommendations. Allegation #1 will be addressed in a further report.
For more information, see Operation Jupiter - Allegations of improper conduct in the lead up to the 2020 General Election