'Darwin is a small place': NT deputy chief defends data centre disclosure
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley insists he has followed parliamentary disclosure rules "to a T", while defending a decision to spruik a $40 billion data centre project put forward by a company that employs his sister-in-law.
Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley has defended his decision not to disclose a potential conflict of interest with a close family member, despite appearing at a press conference to promote a $40 billion data centre project by Beetaloo Energy. His sister-in-law, Bethany Maley, is employed by the firm in a strategic engagement role.
The parliamentary disclosure rules did not require Maley to publicly declare this relationship, but he has promised to exclude himself from any future conflicts. Maley insisted there was no conflict, as the decision to sign the do-not-deal agreement was made by Lands Minister Joshua Burgoyne. He blamed reporters for not raising their connection at the time, but acknowledged that their connection was out in the open.
The NT Opposition and environmental groups have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and public trust.
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