The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency's deputy chair Colleen Rosas has defended its ability to deliver services amid multiple audits, executive resignations, the domestic violence history of its chair, and an impending federal court decision.
The deputy chair of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has defended the organisation's ability to provide legal services amid ongoing internal instability.The federal court is on Thursday expected to rule on a long-running unfair dismissal case brought by a former NAAJA chief executive.
Former NAAJA chairperson and current deputy chair Colleen Rosas said NAAJA was working to address the issues raised by the NIAA.But Ms Rosas said the board had rejected requests from NIAA and the NT government to directly observe NAAJA's board meetings. NAAJA is to receive almost $16 million of federal funding in 2024-25, a spokesperson from the NT Department of Attorney-General and Justice said.During Senate estimates this week, Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle said it was unclear on regulator ASIC's website who NAAJA's board directors currently are.
"The attorney-general at the Commonwealth level and the Indigenous Australians minister have met with the Northern Territory attorney-general to express our deep concern and frustration with what's happening at NAAJA," she said. Former deputy chief executive Leeanne Caton is the latest of four executives to depart the agency since the dispute reached the courts, announcing her resignation to the board last week.
Priscilla Atkins Colleen Rosas Leanne Caton NIAA National Indigenous Australians Agency North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency
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