Overview
- Central Land Council chief Lesley Turner alleges a July 2024 press release implied a defeated no-confidence motion and that he was unfit, with the statement sent to roughly 1,000–2,000 journalists and later removed.
- Turner’s counsel says Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price approved publication despite conflicting accounts from CLC chair Matthew Palmer and Gavin Morris and without checking inconsistencies.
- NT News replicated the claim before retracting the article and apologising, which the court heard amplified the false impression and public confusion.
- Testifying on Tuesday, health official John Boffa said the claims harmed Turner’s standing and added that Price introduced an allegation of unprofessional conduct, while Price contests that Turner suffered hurt.
- Price has dropped a truth defence and is running qualified privilege, making reasonableness the key issue, as she faces potential damages and costs and has disclosed crowdfunding support including a Hancock Prospecting contribution.