In the NT, West Arnhem Regional Council has terminated its CEO’s employment contract after allegations emerged that he and other staff had taken alcohol into a dry community.
Mayor Matthew Ryan has confirmed that Paul Hockings was removed from his position at a special meeting of the Council, and appointed governance and risk advisor Jessie Schaecken as Acting CEO for three months.
The NT News reports that other staff members are still subject to the investigation, while police have confirmed that infringement notices will be issued to eight people in total.
Mayor Ryan said the identity of those other staff members would not be disclosed while the investigation is ongoing.
The staff member chosen for the acting role is not a member of the senior executive staff, and Mayor Ryan would not be drawn on why the council had made that choice.
Ms Schaeken has been with West Arnhem council since January this year, and was previously the executive assistant to the CEO at the City of Palmerston.