NT government’s ‘captain’s pick’ for legal agency sparks multiple resignations
The chair of Legal Aid NT (LANT) has resigned over a “captain’s pick” appointment of the organisation’s new director, who was deemed unfit for the role by an independent selection panel.
Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby appointed South Australian barrister Catherine Voumard to take on the role earlier this month.
It came after an independent committee, headed by LANT chair Duncan McConnel SC, declined to interview Ms Voumard for the position after determining she did not meet the selection criteria.
In a letter sent to Ms Boothby last week and obtained by the ABC, Mr McConnel said he was “deeply disappointed” by her choice to override the panel’s decision.
Duncan McConnel says the Attorney-General’s decision “appears to have been based on reasons other than merit or otherwise marks a serious departure of judgement”. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
“The position requires an experienced senior lawyer with extensive executive management experience,” Mr McConnel wrote.
“Your chosen appointee has none.”
In the letter, Mr McConnel said the committee had provided Ms Boothby a report outlining its reasons for recommending a different candidate.
“Ms Voumard’s appointment appears to have been based on reasons other than merit or otherwise marks a serious departure of judgement between the Attorney and the [Legal Aid] Commission,” he wrote.
The panel process is advisory, with directors appointed by the Attorney-General under the Legal Aid Act.
In a statement, Ms Boothby told the ABC her decision to appoint Ms Voumard was for “a deliberate change in management approach”.
“Legal Aid NT has long called for reform and that requires not just funding but strong leadership and fresh thinking in how the organisation is managed,” she said.
“I am confident Ms Voumard will deliver the changes needed to keep Legal Aid NT sustainable and support its hardworking staff.”
Ms Voumard comes to the role with 13 years of experience in the legal profession, including several stints in the NT.
She has previously worked for LANT and Aboriginal legal services in Darwin, Alice Springs and Port Augusta and as a summary trial prosecutor in remote and regional communities.
She also served as an associate to NT Supreme Court Justice Peter Barr and worked for prominent criminal law firm Maleys Barristers & Solicitors, headed up by former Country Liberal Party MLA Peter Maley, who is also the brother of current cabinet minister Gerard Maley.
Decision labelled a ‘clear overstep’
In a statement, NT Bar Association (NTBA) president Mary Chalmers SC said the NTBA understood “a number” of board members had resigned “in response to a ‘captain’s pick’ appointment of the new legal aid director”.
Ms Chalmers said appointments “made contrary to the advice of a panel” could “damage community and organisational confidence in the appointment process”.
Mary Chalmers says transparency in legal aid appointments is important. (ABC News: Jason Walls)
“Legal Aid is a critical entity for the proper functioning of the justice system in the Northern Territory and the need for transparency in the appointment process is important,” she said in a statement.
Opposition Leader Selena Uibo labelled Ms Boothby’s decision “a clear overstep” and called on her to explain the appointment.
“When it comes to the legal profession in the NT, we want to see impartial and independent processes,” Ms Uibo said on Tuesday.
“She needs to explain why she’s done a captain’s pick, why she’s interfering at that level.“
Ms Voumard has been contacted for comment.
