Tomorrow, the Federal Court case Gravener Vs Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, Borroloola NT and Deloitte Private Pty Ltd Darwin continues this Friday 5th January 2016 at 2pm at the Federal Court in the Supreme Court building in Darwin.
It will address further directions in the case in regards trial processes. Also there will be an attempt to have the case presented by Michael Gravener to be struck out of the court. Michael Gravener the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was sacked by the Mabunji Organisation after 9 weeks without warning. It would appear that because he was attempting to clean up an organisation which was allegedly being run illegally and subsequently allowing corruption and irregular activities to take place unabated that he was removed by some members of the Mabunji Board.
Subsequently the Office for the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) have issued a report of non compliance in the operating of the corporation including the announcement that almost $200,000 of overtime payment, 93% of overtime achieved within an organisation of over 110 employees, was obtained by a mother and daughter team who was the previous Chief Executive Officer and Human Resource Manager (HR) respectively. The CEO achieved the overtime while working off site in Hervey Bay, QLD approximately 20 days a month; and the HR Manager absent from her office, over 95% of the time, while living in a Corporation house in Borroloola due to her inability to attend her work space.
Michael Gravener adds, “The Corruption within many Aboriginal Corporations and their partners is endemic. A Royal Commission is being called into the ‘Aboriginal Industry’ which continues to fail its people while the few who prey on disadvantage amass their wealth.”
Georgina Gartland
