Arabic version: إحالة دور موظفة حكومية في الإقليم الشمالي بشركة «NDIS» إلى مراجعة نزاهة
According to ABC News, senior Northern Territory public servant Kudzai Mutsunge was the sole director of Alice Springs NDIS provider Life Aspects for nearly three years while holding senior roles in the Department of Children and Families. She also held a 50 per cent stake in the business’s parent company, Japhin The Teacher Pty Ltd, from December 2024 to February 2026.
The department has referred a complaint about a potential conflict of interest to an internal integrity process and said it was coordinating with the National Disability Insurance Agency where relevant. The outcome is unknown. The department declined to say whether Ms Mutsunge had declared a potential conflict or sought approval for outside work, citing individual employment and conduct matters.
The ABC reported it had seen no evidence that any child in departmental care was a Life Aspects client. The department has a significant role in the NT’s NDIS system, with 2024 figures showing more than 300 children in its care had active NDIS plans. Ms Mutsunge said she did not endorse or agree with allegations or characterisations about whether her roles created a potential conflict.
Ms Mutsunge ended her directorship and shareholding earlier in 2026, a week before an anonymous complaint was sent to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in March. The ABC understands she left the department on September 11. Life Aspects remains listed as an active provider, while the company and its current holder did not respond to questions.
The department updated its conflict-of-interest policy on June 12, 2026, introducing annual declarations of business and financial interests for all staff. The policy also includes additional measures for higher-risk staff who could influence referrals to NDIS providers. Under the NT public service code of conduct, employees must declare perceived, potential or actual conflicts in writing and obtain written approval before taking paid work outside the service.
