Prime Minister and Cabinet employee in court
Northern Territory police are investigating. Photo: NT Police
An employee of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has faced court for alleged indecent acts against minors.
The 58-year-old appeared in Alice Springs local court on Monday charged with seven counts of indecent dealings with a child under 16 and was remanded in custody.
The charges relate to a number of incidents with more than one alleged victim between July 2017 and January 2018.
The ABC understands the dealings all occurred in the same remote community in Central Australia.
The case was adjourned to next month.
The ABC understands the arrest was made in Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon.
In a statement, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said it was cooperating fully with NT Police.
It said the allegations were extremely disturbing and that it had suspended the employee pending court proceedings.
The department said it had zero tolerance for abuse, particularly of children, and that it remained “committed to ensuring appropriate work practices when dealing with vulnerable people”.
NT Police has been contacted for comment.
An earlier version of this story was headlined incorrectly using the acronym PMO. The headline should have referred to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
