The Northern Territory government has taken over a regional council and accused its members of misusing funds and not providing sufficient services to the remote communities it serves.
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Local Government Minister Chansey Paech announced the Barkly Regional Council, which serves more than 8000 people, would be suspended and investigated on Tuesday.
"An audit is being placed on the (council) due to fiscal management concerns and concerns around service delivery in Tennant Creek and in the remote communities that are responsible under the Barkly Regional Council," he told reporters on Tuesday morning.
"That could be anything from the operations of local authorities in those communities.... rubbish collections, maintaining the local networks and infrastructure in those communities, that's what I need to have a look at."
In an earlier statement, Mr Paech's office said "he is satisfied there are or may be serious deficiencies in the conduct of the council's affairs".
An investigation will take place and hand down a report to the minister by March 2024.
Mr Paech said the government would adopt the recommendations of the investigation and any corruption allegations would be referred to the NT's Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The takeover comes just a week after Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin went on extended leave when footage emerged of him sitting on an Indigenous boy while performing a citizen's arrest.
Mr McLaughlin is also facing drug driving charges which remain before the courts.
Mr Paech said he had reached out to Mr McLaughlin to let him know, though the suspension had "nothing to do with his actions".
"I have rung the mayor this morning... they will now all be issued with formal correspondence advising them that they are placed under official management and that they are suspended," he said.
Barkly Regional Council covers 325,000 square kilometres in the NT outback, including the regional centre of Tennant Creek.
The remote communities of Arlparra, Ampilatwatja, Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Wutunugurra, and Elliott also fall within the council's responsibility.
All 12 councillors have been suspended from office and Peter Holt has been appointed official manager.
Australian Associated Press
