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.
Read the full media release published by the National Anti-Corruption Commission on 20 November 2025