18-05-2025
NT government's closed recruitment for territory coordinator role faces criticism
The Northern Territory government has faced criticism over its move to hand a former gas executive "extraordinary powers" to green-light private development, without publicly recruiting for the "highly-paid" position.
Last Thursday, Stuart Knowles was appointed as the first territory coordinator, gaining a four-year term after acting in the role since November.
The government passed new laws to create the position in March, and it comes with sweeping powers to "consolidate regulatory processes" for projects of "economic significance".
Mr Knowles, a former NT Inpex boss, now has the ability to issue "step-in notices" and take over some assessments from other approval bodies.
He gains powers to override dozens of NT laws, including those regulating the environment, pastoral land, petroleum, heritage and water.
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said the "high standards expected of the public service" had not been applied in the government's appointment of Mr Knowles, claiming there was no open recruitment for the role.
"The Labor opposition is struggling to find the process that has been used to appoint Mr Knowles in this highly-paid taxpayer position for four years," she said.
"What vetting processes were afoot, what open recruitment process has the CLP government followed?
"So far it looks like none."
A government spokesperson said a selection panel undertook a "formal assessment process" before Mr Knowles was appointed territory coordinator on Thursday.
In a statement, Mr Knowles said that process assessed his "private and public sector strategic project experience, and qualifications in management, auditing and corporate governance".
The government declined to answer multiple ABC requests for information on how much Mr Knowles would get paid in the role, nor whether it considered other candidates.
Labor's questioning in parliament last week also centred around media reports by the NT Independent that Mr Knowles was investigated by NT Animal Welfare for animal neglect 10 years ago.
During the investigation, four dogs were seized and taken to a vet for treatment, with a warning issued to Mr Knowles.
Mr Knowles said in a statement he took full responsibility for the "unintended" animal neglect.
"I am deeply sorry for the distress caused to my dogs due to the tick infestation on my property a decade ago," he said.
"I deeply regret my failure to prevent it."
Mr Knowles said during the investigation, animal welfare officers attended his property three times in six weeks to assess the dogs' condition.
"After confirming that remedial actions, including tick eradication treatments, were successful and the dogs were in good health, they concluded their investigation," he said.
Independent MLA Justine Davis has also raised concerns about Mr Knowles's appointment, saying parliament members know little about how he was chosen for the role.
"There are open questions about his fitness for the role, the integrity of the recruitment process that led to his appointment, and ongoing concerns about potential conflict of interest — actual or perceived — Mr Knowles may have given his prior work with Inpex," she said.
Ms Davis said the role's selection criteria — which the new laws limit to "suitable qualifications or experience" relating to the territory coordinator's functions — were "totally inadequate".
She said the legislative scrutiny committee, which she was part of, recommended the job criteria exclude government or judicial officials and people who had donated to a political party in the past.
However that request was rejected, along with another recommendation that the territory coordinator's appointment should require the parliament's endorsement.
"It remains difficult to understand why the CLP would object to basic integrity standards for powerful public service roles like the territory coordinator," Ms Davis said.
Mr Knowles worked in the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet prior to joining Inpex as a compliance approvals manager in 2014.
He went on to become the gas giant's NT general manager, and later worked for a consulting firm before he took on the territory coordinator role.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Knowles had "extensive" public and private sector experience and an "understanding of the Northern Territory's unique challenges and opportunities".
Last week the government was also criticised for making a "captain's pick" appointment of Legal Aid NT's new director — which prompted a string of resignations from the organisation's board.
