00:00It came in a late Saturday night media release from the Chief Minister.
00:07The Territory's top cop will be stood down effective immediately.
00:11Yesterday I spoke with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy
00:14and informed him that his position was untenable
00:17and that he did not have the support of the government.
00:21An ICAC report released nine days ago finding a senior public executive
00:25now known to be Mr Murphy was negligent and incompetent
00:29when he appointed his close friend to the role of Assistant Commissioner last year.
00:34I've not asked for Commissioner Murphy's resignation.
00:37I've given him the opportunity to resign which he has not taken up.
00:40The Chief Minister was first made aware of the ICAC's findings over a week ago
00:45but Mr Murphy was not named, sparking fierce questioning from the media today.
00:50That's exactly right and as Chief Minister I cannot be breaking the law.
00:57Independent MLA Justine Davis also asking why he wasn't named.
01:02She said she had advice from the Solicitor General that reinforced that
01:05so I'd really love to see that advice because I think we can't be holding questions about these things.
01:10We need as a community to know that we can trust what our Chief Minister
01:14or what our ICAC Commissioner are saying.
01:16Well I met with the Solicitor General and he confirmed the advice provided to me
01:20by the ICAC Commissioner which was that I could not say anything.
01:24Michael Murphy is the second Police Commissioner to make an early exit in two years.
01:29In line with his contract he'll receive six months pay following his termination.
01:33But the circumstances of his departure mean the ICAC is now in the government's crosshairs.
01:39There needs to be reform to the ICAC so that's on the table for this year
01:43but there are other areas that may very well need to be looked at as well
01:48including how we appoint statutory officers.
01:51A Territory Cop since 1997, Michael Murphy served as Commissioner for two years
01:56overseeing the first youth curfew in Alice Springs
01:59and attracting criticism for his handling of police racism
02:03brought up during the coronial inquest into the death of Kumunjai Walker.
02:07But he'll be best remembered for his apology to Indigenous Territorians
02:11for past harms and injustices caused by members of the police force.
02:15I'm deeply sorry to all Aboriginal Territorians.
02:18As he steps out of the limelight, Deputy Commissioner Martin Doll will take his place.
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