North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency chair ‘sacks staff who discover corruption’

NAAJA Chair Colleen Rosas.

• EXCLUSIVE

  ByELLIE DUDLEY

  LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT

  @EllieDudley_
• 6:51AM AUGUST 31, 2023

Senior staff of Australia’s largest Indigenous legal service have been accused of continuously sacking employees who become aware of alleged systemic corruption plaguing the embattled organisation, as dozens of disgruntled employees resign in a mass exodus, and many others continue to work without signed contracts.

The allegations come followingexplosive claims of corruption, fraud, bullying and drug usewithin the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, including serious allegations that former chief executive Priscilla Atkins, CFO Madhur Evans and Chair Colleen Rosas misused thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds.

Ms Atkins is suingNAAJAfor unfair dismissal, claiming she was sacked after making numerous corruption allegations against Ms Evans, including that she made a discreet payment to Ms Rosas of $20,000.

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NAAJA denies allegations that Ms Evans and Ms Rosas engaged in deceptive conduct, and claims Ms Atkins was fired for forging Ms Rosas’ signature on her contract extension document, securing her position as CEO – and its $350,000 salary – for a further five years.

NAAJA has also alleged Ms Atkins used company funds to buy cars, flights, clothes and artworks. Ms Atkins denies all allegations of misconduct.

Ousted NAAJA chief executive Priscilla Atkins

Over 30 of 200 NAAJA staff members have been sacked or resigned since November last year, according to an email written by Ms Atkins to Namatjira MP William Yan.

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Ms Atkins alleged one accountant, who was aware of alleged misconduct of Ms Evans and Ms Rosas was suspended for sending NAAJA documents to his personal email, and then forwarding them to the NT Independent Commission Against Corruption.

When the accountant returned to work, his office had been placed “directly outside the CFO office which (sic) his computer screen facing the CFO office so she can watch what he is doing on the computer,” Ms Atkins’ email, which was tendered to the Federal Court, reads.

Ms Atkins alleged two other accountants were suspended because they were aware of the alleged misconduct. Both accountants have since provided documents to the NT ICAC for review, she said.

A cleaner was sacked after catching Ms Evans on Ms Atkins‘ computer after hours and without permission, Ms Atkins claimed, and her executive assistant was fired due to an alleged criminal history, of which no details were provided.

Ms Atkins also claimed NAAJA’s executive services co-ordinator, who handled some salary matters, was suspended in December 2022. The suspension came after the board launched an investigation into Ms Atkins’ salary following the forgery allegations.

Many staff members, including multiple solicitors and administrative workers, had resigned over the past year, Ms Atkins claimed, and others have called her in tears.

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“Staff are calling me daily crying and are stressed they are being threatened if they speak to anyone about NAAJA they will be sacked,” Ms Atkins wrote in the email. “The CFO is monitoring their computers and work phones. They are now leaving the office and calling on their mobile phones.”

Ms Atkins alleged the NAAJA board intentionally hired their family members and friends, and refuse to publicly advertise positions or allow managers to fill roles.

“Staff have been advised that all recruitment and interviews will be conducted by the NAAJA Board,” her email reads, adding that she had reported the matter to the NT ICAC, NT Attorney-General’s office, federal Attorney-General’s office, ASIC and NIAA.

“I am appalled that the NAAJA Board and CFO are treating taxpayers’ money like it is their own and to date they are getting away with it. The public would be disgusted that an Aboriginal organisation is being run by an Aboriginal board who are corrupt.”

ELLIE DUDLEY

LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT