2 days ago
Reappointment of APY Lands general manager under review following flawed recruitment claims
The controversial reappointment of APY Lands general manager Richard King is under a state government-commissioned review following claims of a flawed recruitment process.
Mr King was reappointed by the APY Lands executive in October 2024 but, almost a year later, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kyam Maher is yet to sign off on his contract.
Despite the delay, Mr King has remained working in the role — which attracts an annual salary of more than $200,000.
At the time of his reappointment, a group of former APY executive members alleged Mr King had not applied for the position, and the selection panel had not been made aware of all candidates.
The current executive dismissed the claims as "baseless" and maintained the process was thorough and lawful.
Following inquiries to Mr Maher, a government spokeswoman told the ABC the selection of a general manager was a matter for the APY executive — and the minister was responsible only for approving the conditions of appointment.
She said the minister had acted after concerns were raised with him.
"The minister received an application for conciliation regarding the recruitment process of the general manager," the spokesperson said.
"Pursuant to the Act, a conciliator has since been appointed.
"The conciliator has met with APY executive members and will provide a report on this application in due course.
"The minister will await to receive this report before any further decisions are made."
The conciliator appointed by the government is experienced mediator and "dispute resolution consultant" Greg Rooney.
Mr Rooney declined to comment while the process was underway.
Calls for an investigation into the selection process were first made by independent MLC Frank Pangallo in parliament last October.
The ABC has been told of a push to oust Mr King at a board meeting held in Umuwa on the APY Lands this week — but a statement from an APY spokesman said Mr King remained general manager.
"A recent process aimed at appointing an interim general manager and initiating a new general manager recruitment process has not been the subject of any resolution of the APY executive board," a statement said.
"Consequently, a meeting of the full executive board will be convened in the coming weeks to thoroughly address this matter and ensure compliance with the APY Land Rights Act."
The act requires at least nine board members to pass a resolution terminating the general manager's appointment.
Mr King was first appointed to the role in 2015 and has lost multiple Supreme Court bids to stop the SA Ombudsman from investigating his conduct.
In 2020, he failed in a Supreme Court bid to overturn the ombudsman's findings that were critical of him.
In early 2023, Mr King was reappointed for one year "whilst the recruitment process for a new general manager is undertaken" — but remained in the role following that process.
Greens MLC Robert Simms said he planned to ask questions about the matter when parliament resumed next week.
He said the role of general manager was vital within the APY Lands community.
"It's really important that the community has faith in the process and that the minister can demonstrate that they have followed due process," he said.
Mr King declined to comment.
