Arabic version: تحقيق يستمع إلى ادعاءات ضد الرئيس التنفيذي السابق للصندوق الوطني

According to ABC News, a parliamentary inquiry into the National Trust of South Australia has heard allegations that its former chief executive, Darren Peacock, said he intended to “destroy” the History Trust and secure its government funding.

The allegation was made under parliamentary privilege by former History Trust CEO Greg Mackie, who urged the committee to examine Mr Peacock’s 2022 departure from the National Trust. Mr Mackie said the pair had clashed in 2021 after the Marshall government removed the National Trust from Ayers House to accommodate the History Trust, a decision later reversed by the current Labor government.

Mr Mackie also alleged the National Trust had sought to undermine leaders of the Moonta branch after attempting to take over management of the Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct earlier this year. He claimed the Trust’s current CEO and another officer had contacted members about temporarily transferring to the branch, which he said could enable a change to the branch committee. He declined to identify his sources.

The National Trust said it did not believe it was appropriate to comment on specific claims while the inquiry was ongoing. Current CEO Nicolette di Lernia was absent from the hearing on sick leave. ABC News said it made several attempts to contact Mr Peacock for a response.

The Trust is seeking to address a $300,000 financial deficit and has begun an organisational review that will identify properties for possible sale. Council members Millie Nicholls and Jo Lokan said branches and Heritage Minister Emily Bourke would be consulted before sales from the Trust’s $57 million portfolio. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday 14 September.