Central Land Council CEO sues Jacinta Price for defamation

Lesley Turner, the CEO of the Central Land Council, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Senator Jacinta Price following a media release she issued in July. The release claimed that a no-confidence motion had been moved against Turner by council members, which he argues is false and damaging to his reputation. The NT News, which published articles referencing Price's claims, later retracted them and issued an apology to Turner for any distress caused. In her media release, Price, who serves as the shadow minister for Indigenous Australians, suggested that the alleged no-confidence motion highlighted the Albanese government's neglect of Indigenous issues. She called for a review of the Land Rights Act to enhance transparency and accountability within the council. Turner contends that Price's statements implied he was unfit for his role and lacked the council's support. Turner’s legal claim asserts that the publication of Price's media release has caused significant harm to his personal and professional reputation, leading to ongoing embarrassment and damage. He claims that Price did not verify the accuracy of her allegations and ignored his requests for a retraction, which exacerbated the situation. As of early September, Price had not retracted her statements, and her spokesperson indicated that she would refrain from commenting on the matter while legal proceedings are underway. This case underscores the tensions surrounding leadership and accountability within Indigenous organizations in Australia.