Misuse of public money claims at Darwin Waterfront Corporation referred to NT Public Accounts Committee
On Wednesday night, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo told NT parliament she was referring "serious" allegations relating to conduct at the DWC to the NT Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The DWC is a statutory authority established by the NT government which controls the Darwin Waterfront, one of the Top End's most popular recreational facilities.
The DWC board released a statement on Thursday saying it "categorically denies any wrongdoing and welcomes the opportunity to respond to any matters raised by participating in any inquiry".
Ms Uibo's referral follows a series of media reports by the NT Independent about the allegations, which the online publication said were based on internal memos.
Speaking in parliament, Ms Uibo said the allegations involved "significant sums of public money and they cannot be allowed to quietly fade into the background".
She said among the claims was the "alleged creation of a made-up, part-time job for Mr Sam Burke", the DWC's deputy chief executive.
Ms Uibo said the role was "reportedly unadvertised" and allegedly resulted "in a $60,000 salary increase via a temporary higher duties allowance".
"The higher duties allowance allegedly continued for up to six years," she said.
Ms Uibo also referenced "reports of public service rules being repeatedly breached".
"With roles not advertised, promotions bypassing merits-based reviews and job evaluation [processes] ignored for the benefit of certain individuals," she said.
Mr Burke, Chief Minister Lia Finocchario's husband, has worked at the DWC since January 2016.
He is also the chief executive of AustralAsia Railway Corporation (AARC), another statutory authority established under NT law.
Ms Uibo said the allegations included money being transferred between "taxpayer-funded entities to support Mr Burke's salary".
"There have been claims of funds being moved between the DWC and the AARC," she said.
"It has been further alleged that a memo outlines how the DWC would recoup salary costs from the AARC, raising concerns of potential fraud and gross conflicts of interest."
In a statement, AARC chair Alastair Shields said the two corporations were co-located and for many years had "shared some corporate services and staff for efficiency".
"There is nothing untoward or unusual about this arrangement, and it predates the appointment of Mr Burke as chief executive."
Mr Burke initially joined the DWC as general manager, which a spokesperson said he secured "following an open recruitment process".
The DWC spokesperson said in 2023, Mr Burke's title changed from general manager to deputy chief executive — a role responsible for the corporation's daily operations.
"This was a change in title only and there was no salary increase at this time," they said.
Ms Uibo said allegations had been made about Mr Burke being "promoted" in 2023.
"Mr Burke signed a new four-year executive contract in November 2023 ... promoting him … with a salary of $259,824, plus benefits," she said.
Ms Finocchiaro has declined to answer questions relating to the allegations, saying that "clear separations are appropriately and properly in place".
Calls for an inquiry, by the Labor opposition and independent MLA Justine Davis, have been shut down by Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby.
In deciding not to call an inquiry, Ms Boothby referenced a departmental briefing which she said proved "due process under those allegations was actually followed".
Ms Boothby has refused to publicly release the briefing.
In its statement, the DWC board said it had been subject to annual audits by the NT auditor-general.
"These audits, conducted in accordance with the relevant NT laws and with reference to the Commonwealth corporations law, have consistently found no evidence to support any finding of financial or governance misconduct," it said.
Ms Uibo acknowledged in her speech that the allegations occurred solely during Labor's eight years in power.
"But that does not, and it will not, deter me from demanding accountability," the former cabinet minister said.
The DWC board said it had invited Ms Uibo "for a briefing on the allegations", but had not received a response.
The five-member Public Accounts Committee — which has a government majority of three members — will now decide whether to accept Ms Uibo's referral and investigate the allegations.
Mr Burke was contacted for comment.
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