Police have charged an employee of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet with child sexual abuse.
The head of the prime minister’s department, Martin Parkinson, confirmed that the man, who is in his 50s, had been suspended after his arrest by Northern Territory police this week for “alleged indecent acts against minors”.
“The Australian public service has a zero tolerance for any abuse, particularly abuse of children,” Parkinson said. “These allegations are extremely disturbing and we are cooperating fully with the Northern Territory police.
“We remain committed to ensuring appropriate work practices in dealing with all vulnerable people.”
Media Statement: Serious allegations against PM&C employee. https://t.co/AhMK6e45Di
— PM&C (@pmc_gov_au) April 11, 2018
Sky News reported that the public servant was believed to have offered minors cigarettes in exchange for sexual favours while working in a remote community.
The Northern Territory police initially said it was unable to make any comment on the case, but later on Wednesday confirmed a 58-year-old man had been charged with seven counts of indecently dealing with a child under 16 years.
He was remanded to appear before court on 24 May.
“As the matter is currently before the courts, Northern Territory police cannot provide any further comment.”
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet staffs five offices in the Northern Territory, including two in central Australia – one in Alice Springs and one in Tennant Creek.
The department sent investigators to the territory last month after two reported cases of children being sexually assaulted, for which two people have been separately charged.
The assaults led to the Indigenous affairs minister, Nigel Scullion, asking the NT government to explain what had happened to the children, and what role authorities may have played in their lives.
Labor’s Linda Burney described child protection as “complex” and said there needed to be a long-term campaign involving state and territory governments working with the commonwealth.
“I think there is a crisis in child protection right across Australia,” she told Sky News last month. “More and more children are being removed and put into statutory care.”
