Mr VOWLES - 2014-08-21
The CLP has no regard for probity and treats the public with contempt. You recently appointed former Chief Minister and lobbyist, Mr Denis Burke, as Chair of the Development Consent Authority with an annual salary of $136 000. In common with your appointment of Mr Graeme Lewis as Chair of the Land Development Corporation, Mr Denis Burke’s appointment is compromised by a clear conflict of interest.
Will you acknowledge the growing public disquiet about the politicisation of the DCA and terminate the appointment of your CLP mate, Denis Burke? Or, in your arrogance, will you ensure Mr Burke remains another beneficiary of the CLP’s policy of jobs for the boys?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his poor characterisation of another member of our community, a former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Denis Burke was a member of the Palmerston DCA. The opportunity came up …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: The head of the DCA position was advertised. Seven people applied - seven good applications. The Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment can provide more information on the other applicants without breaching confidentiality. Mr Burke was recommended by a fully transparent panel which looked at all those applications and conducted the interviews. It was deemed that Denis Burke was the best applicant for the job.
Mr Burke, who is a former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, has been a key adviser to the Abu Dhabi government. He has been appointed for a two-year term to the DCA through that formal application process. This position requires experience and leadership and Mr Burke was a standout candidate from all applicants. When that recommendation was made to me and to Cabinet, I went through it thoroughly to ensure Denis was the best recommended applicant, and clearly he was.
Appointing an applicant other than Denis because of former positions would be robbing Territorians of the best candidate for the job. Mr Burke, who is a current member of the Palmerston DCA, will replace Mr Peter McQueen, who has served as chair for four terms over an eight-year period.
Denis has worked for the Abu Dhabi government and acquired exceptional urban and strategic planning knowledge, which he will bring to this new role as the Territory is primed for increased growth.
I knew Labor would ask questions about Denis’ appointment. He was the best person recommended for the job. I will not go into who the other applicants were, but there were a number of other people who were members of the CLP, so we had to be very careful to ensure it was a clear and transparent process. Denis was by far the standout candidate and we are very proud to say he is the new head of the DCA. I look forward to him doing a stellar job in taking over from Mr McQueen, who did a good job heading the DCA for a long period of time.
There is no doubt the Territory will continue to move forward in leaps and bounds in its development and growth, and it is important we always get the balance right from an environmental and urban planning point of view. I believe Denis holds those practices, principles and experiences dear to his heart, and will provide good governance for the Northern Territory in that role as the Chair of the DCA.
Will you acknowledge the growing public disquiet about the politicisation of the DCA and terminate the appointment of your CLP mate, Denis Burke? Or, in your arrogance, will you ensure Mr Burke remains another beneficiary of the CLP’s policy of jobs for the boys?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Johnston for his poor characterisation of another member of our community, a former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. Denis Burke was a member of the Palmerston DCA. The opportunity came up …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr GILES: The head of the DCA position was advertised. Seven people applied - seven good applications. The Minister for Lands, Planning and the Environment can provide more information on the other applicants without breaching confidentiality. Mr Burke was recommended by a fully transparent panel which looked at all those applications and conducted the interviews. It was deemed that Denis Burke was the best applicant for the job.
Mr Burke, who is a former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, has been a key adviser to the Abu Dhabi government. He has been appointed for a two-year term to the DCA through that formal application process. This position requires experience and leadership and Mr Burke was a standout candidate from all applicants. When that recommendation was made to me and to Cabinet, I went through it thoroughly to ensure Denis was the best recommended applicant, and clearly he was.
Appointing an applicant other than Denis because of former positions would be robbing Territorians of the best candidate for the job. Mr Burke, who is a current member of the Palmerston DCA, will replace Mr Peter McQueen, who has served as chair for four terms over an eight-year period.
Denis has worked for the Abu Dhabi government and acquired exceptional urban and strategic planning knowledge, which he will bring to this new role as the Territory is primed for increased growth.
I knew Labor would ask questions about Denis’ appointment. He was the best person recommended for the job. I will not go into who the other applicants were, but there were a number of other people who were members of the CLP, so we had to be very careful to ensure it was a clear and transparent process. Denis was by far the standout candidate and we are very proud to say he is the new head of the DCA. I look forward to him doing a stellar job in taking over from Mr McQueen, who did a good job heading the DCA for a long period of time.
There is no doubt the Territory will continue to move forward in leaps and bounds in its development and growth, and it is important we always get the balance right from an environmental and urban planning point of view. I believe Denis holds those practices, principles and experiences dear to his heart, and will provide good governance for the Northern Territory in that role as the Chair of the DCA.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016