Cape York Land Council chair Richie Ah Mat (left) will also act as the organisation’s chief executive officer for the foreseeable future after former boss Dion Creek (right) was sacked following his arrest last month on 15 domestic violence-related charges. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The Cape York Land Council (CYLC) is refusing to comment on its leadership future despite one person now juggling the two most senior roles within the organisation, a situation the federal MP for Leichhardt says he believes will create major governance concerns.
CYLC chair Richie Ah Mat has been revealed as the organisation’s acting chief executive officer following the sensational sacking of former boss Dion Creek after he was arrested on 15 domestic violence-related charges in August.
Following Mr Creek’s arrest, the land council board held a crisis meeting on 15 August and announced in a statement it had terminated his employment “with immediate effect”.
While Cape York Weekly has been able to confirm Mr Ah Mat will operate as both the CYLC’s board chair and CEO, the organisation would not respond to questions about how the roles would be managed concurrently, and if an external search to recruit a replacement for Mr Creek would be undertaken.
“Acting CEO Richie Ah Mat will not be giving any follow-up statements,” a CYLC staff member said in an email on 30 August.
Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has been critical of the land council’s involvement and advocacy during the recent consultation for a Cape York World Heritage submission and said he could not see how Mr Ah Mat could successfully balance the top strategic and operational positions within the organisation.
“I’ve had some serious concerns raised about the integrity of the land council and its leadership in recent times from people very closely associated with the land council,” he said.
“What’s happening now is that you’re just circulating it within the same small leadership group.
“Personally, I think it’s a serious conflict of interest and I think it’s time they bought people in from outside to have a look at what’s going on.
“I don’t think these problems are going to be resolved by one individual who was already involved with some of those concerns … taking on multiple roles.”
Mr Creek has not been found guilty on any of the charges and will face Cairns Magistrates Court on 11 October for a committal mention after being refused bail.
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