The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has this afternoon tabled in Parliament the final report of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) investigation, Operation Jupiter Part 2.
The publicly available report follows allegations concerning former Labor Chief Minister Michael Gunner, and his ministerial staff, who were referred to ICAC for investigation.
The inquiry examined claims of improper conduct by ministerial staff leading up to the 2020 Northern Territory General Election.
The report, in part, states: "In the months leading up to the 2020 election, officers within the OCM (Office of the Chief Minister), and in particular the digital unit, performed political campaign work within normal office hours and while being paid from the public purse."
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has received a copy of the report.
"The report outlines some disturbing information about the activities of ministerial staff within former Chief Minister Michael Gunner's office leading up to the 2020 election," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
"The ICAC investigation found some ministerial staff were spending much of their taxpayer-funded work time helping the Labor party win the election.
"In a democracy, Territorians expect all political parties to be given a fair go leading up to an election.
"The report shows Labor had an unfair advantage in the 2020 election.
"This can never happen again."
Mrs Finocchiaro confirmed the CLP Government had accepted all four recommendations made in the report.
"Territorians have been waiting for this report for years and neither Report 1 or Report 2 made any findings against any individuals, which is disappointing," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
Emphasising the importance of public trust, Mrs Finocchiaro stated: "The people of the Northern Territory deserve absolute confidence in their government and its representatives."
In response to the report's recommendations, the CLP Government has introduced an updated Ministerial Staff Code of Conduct, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public office.
In addition, the CLP has introduced the Territory's first Lobbyist Register here which establishes clear expectations for ministers and their staff to increase transparency.
This is on top of delivering additional scrutiny measures, including the Legislative Scrutiny Committee, independent Speaker, and doubling the time for debate of petitions.
"Since its introduction on Tuesday, we have already had five individual lobbyists from two entities sign up to the register - something that wouldn't have existed under Labor," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
