A fourth person was today (20 November, 2025) charged for their alleged role in a multi-million dollar fraud in the Northern Territory.
An AFP-led joint agency investigation named Operation Panton Hill - involving the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Department of Defence - began in March 2025, after the AFP received a report of crime from the Department of Defence. It concerned irregularities identified through an internal investigation in relation to the awarding of contracts by Defence with a value of almost $71 million to a Northern Territory business.
A Commonwealth employee, his spouse and a director of a local building company were charged on Friday, 14 November 2025, for allegedly conspiring to influence the awarding of tenders to their company, with the intention of dishonestly gaining a benefit from the Commonwealth, namely the Department of Defence.
AFP investigators arrested the Darwin woman, 45, - another director of the local building company - this morning after allegedly linking her to the alleged fraud and corruption offences. The woman is expected to appear in the Darwin Local Court tomorrow morning (21 November, 2025).
The woman - who is not a Department of Defence employee - was charged with one count of dishonestly gaining a benefit from a Commonwealth entity, namely the Department of Defence, contrary to section 135.1(1), and by virtue of section 11.2A of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
It will be alleged in court the woman conspired with the above-mentioned Commonwealth employee, his spouse and the fellow building company director in the above offending.
Operation Panton Hill remains an active investigation with inquiries continuing.
