The Northern Territory's leading Indigenous legal agency has seen its most senior female executive resign, in the latest blow to the embattled organisation.
The Australian reported on Monday that acting deputy chief executive Leeanne Caton told staff on Friday she would be leaving her role at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) after being in the position for just five months.
Ms Caton, who was previously the chairperson of Aboriginal Housing NT, told staff on Friday she would be leaving NAAJA, "as of [close] of business today".
"I'd like to thank the NAAJA staff for the commitment, dedication and tireless input into the service delivery to our people across the Territory," she said, as reported by The Australian, noting she was "truly appreciative" of the support she had received.
Ms Caton's LinkedIn also revealed she had left NAAJA, announcing she has begun work as a Coordinator of life at Freelance.
A NAAJA spokesperson told National Indigenous Times: "NAAJA's acting deputy CEO, who was serving in a temporary capacity, has resigned for personal reasons."
The organisation has has had five chief executives in just 18 months.
Ms Caton's decision to leave comes in the wake of the organisation being criticised for appointing Arrernte man Hugh Woodbury as chairperson earlier this year - despite being aware of his previous domestic violence charge - as well as revelations the NT government was attempting to recoup almost $2.7 million in unspent funds for the 2022-23 financial year.
NAAJA, which supports Indigenous people across the NT, is the largest Aboriginal legal service in the country but has struggled over the last 12-months through a variety of well-publicised revelations.
These include staffing issues, financial and legal woes, and media criticism, with the revelations about Mr Woodbury - during a period of increased media attention towards victims of domestic violence - particularly scathing.
NAAJA said they were aware of Mr Woodbury's previous incident - where he was fined $200 and given a 12-month good behaviour bond after assaulting his then-pregnant partner in 2020 - arguing he "undertook extensive family counselling following the incident and, with the ongoing support of his partner and extended family, he has worked hard to get his life on track".
"People who do the hard work to turn their lives around deserve a second chance," NAAJA said.
They further acknowledged family violence is a "serious issue" across the country, "particularly for Aboriginal people who are over-represented in the statistics as both victims and perpetrators".
No conviction against Mr Woodbury was recorded.
Last year, former chief executive Priscilla Atkins accused former chair and now deputy chair, Colleen Rosas of misusing company funds, with Ms Rosas counterclaiming that Ms Atkins as used NAAJA funds to purchase clothes, artworks, flights and cars – including a $129,000 Range Rover.
Both women deny the charges and the NT police last year cleared Ms Rosas of any criminal wrongdoing after an investigation, however a finding into the accusation is scheduled to be handed down in federal court on Thursday.
NAAJA have also faced regular calls by conservative politicians, including NT Senator and opposition Indigenous affairs spokesperson Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, to be audited and shut down, arguing vulnerable Aboriginal children have been forced to represent themselves in court due to staffing issues, which they argue is the result of mismanagement.
NAAJA were forced to stop taking on any new clients for several months before reopening their Youth Court practice in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in March, with their adult practice reopening a month later.
They have repeatedly criticised the NT government for punitive criminal measures which mean more children and Indigenous people are facing court, stretching their resources.
