The Law Society Northern Territory (Society) is deeply concerned at recent media reports regarding the appointment of the new Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission Director which if true raises serious process and governance concerns.

The Society is also concerned at the resignation of three Board members of Legal Aid NT.

If, as reported, the Attorney-General has ignored the recommendation of the Commission’s Board which recommendation was made after a thorough recruitment process, what message does this send to the Commission’s Board, the Commission itself and the public?

The Society therefore calls upon the Attorney-General to clarify the process relating to the appointment of the new Director and the rationale for apparently overlooking the recommended candidate.

Society President Mr Richard Henschke said, “It is imperative that the Attorney-General explain what has occurred here and why the recommendation of the Commission’s Board was apparently ignored.

The resignation of three longstanding members of the Commission’s Board shortly after the announcement of the new Director also cannot be disregarded.”

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Mr Richard Henschke

President