NT ICAC won't say if he is probing claims the NT Chief Minister's office misused public money

Michael Gunner was 20 minutes into his final press conference as Chief Minister on Tuesday when a journalist's question reframed the intrigue surrounding his shock decision to suddenly quit.

“Are you under investigation, or have you been told that you are under investigation, by the ICAC?” Sky News' Matt Cunningham asked.

“No,” Mr Gunner jumped in.

The journalist didn't get the chance to provide further context to his question, but it related to a referral to the anti-corruption watchdog by independent politician, Robyn Lambley.

In December last year, Ms Lambley told parliament she would ask the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption to investigate allegations raised by the NT Independent.

Ms Lambley has asked the ICAC Commissioner to investigate the claims.(ABC News: Michael Franchi)

The news organisation's story, which Ms Lambley read out verbatim in parliament, alleged that more than $40,000 of public money was approved by the Chief Minister's office for Labor campaign flights during the caretaker period prior to the 2020 election.

The funding allegedly included $15,000 for three charter flights to remote communities in close electorates on the same day remote polling was taking place.

Ms Lambley told parliament it was “a shocking, appalling story of an alleged abuse of power and public funds by the Gunner Labor government during the August 2020 election.”

Mr Gunner was asked about the allegations by the CLP opposition during parliamentary question time one day after the story was published.

“As Chief Minister, I govern for all Territorians, including Territorians living in our remote areas,” Mr Gunner replied at the time.

“We are not doing our jobs properly if we stay in an air-conditioned office in Darwin.

But the issue re-emerged yesterday after Ms Lambley revealed she had recently contacted ICAC boss Michael Riches to get an update on her referral.

“Just last week, by coincidence, I sent a very brief email to the ICAC Commissioner asking if this matter was being investigated, and he said, 'Yes it was,'” Ms Lambley told ABC Darwin today.

The ABC asked Mr Riches if he would confirm Ms Lambley's account, but he said he would not be commenting on the matter.

Ms Lambley said she decided to make details of her correspondence with the ICAC public after Mr Gunner said the reason for his resignation was desire to spend more time with his young family.

Mr Riches said he would not be commenting on the matter.(Supplied)

Ms Lambley said while Mr Gunner may have resigned for personal reasons, Territorians should also be informed of any other relevant issues in the background.

“I don't believe there are any coincidences in politics,” Ms Lambely said in relation to the resignation and her referral to the ICAC.

“So, I think there is a link. But I'll leave that up to other people to decide.”

Ms Lambely urged the ICAC boss to “publicly confirm” what she said she was told by Mr Riches.

Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said she had not had an opportunity to ask Mr Riches whether an investigation is taking place, but said she intended to do so today.

She also said Mr Gunner had “complete integrity” and she was confident there had been no misuse of public money.

Ms Manison added that it was “a real shame” that allegations about a possible ICAC investigation had coincided with such a significant day in his political career.

“They are actually telling you the real reasons for their decisions and their feelings, and that's what you got yesterday from Michael Gunner.”