Following her resignation as chief minister, Natasha Fyles moved to the backbench and continued her role as Member for Nightcliff. Photo: @natashafylesmla.
In the wake of former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles’ resignation, the Northern Territory Government has released the terms of reference for its review of the Ministerial conflict of interest controls.
Last year the Member for Nightcliff came under widespread scrutiny over her failure to disclose multiple shareholdings in the resources industry.
After revelations came to light in November that Ms Fyles had not reported her $5400 of holdings in Woodside gas company, she divested her financial interests in line with NT’s legislated requirements.
Despite repeatedly declaring that she’d reported all her financial interests, she was later referred to the Territory’s anti-corruption watchdog for it and her political adviser’s gas lobbying ties.
However it wasn’t until her 754 shares in South 32 were found that she made the decision to pass on the mantle of Chief Minister and move to the backbench with her deputy Nicole Manison.
While the shares were only valued at just under $2500, South 32 own a manganese mine on Groote Eylandt. Early last year in her capacity as Health Minister, she said the government would not investigate air pollution levels or health impacts on site, despite community members having called for such tests to be done over many years.
After the Member for Drysdale Eva Lawler was sworn in as the NT’s 13th Chief Minister, she announced the government would complete a review of interest controls. This week Ms Lawler announced the government had released its terms of reference for the review.
“We are reviewing the way Ministerial conflict of interests and declarations are registered and published in the interest of transparency and integrity,” said Ms Lawler. “It is important that we continue to stay transparent and agile.”
The review will examine current practices and their adequacy, making recommendations to strengthen corporate policy, practice and procedures so the controls affecting all members of Parliament, local government elected officials and public officers are robust.
Retired CEO of the Department of Corporate and Digital Development Kathleen Robinson is leading the review and reporting to CEO of the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet. The expert in NT Government corporate governance may engage future improvements or actions on the terms of reference, but they will be at a later stage.
