The head of an Aboriginal legal service that receives up to $30 million a year in public funding has a dark history of shocking abuse and no legal qualifications.
Hugh Woodbury, chairman of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), has been called to resign after it was revealed He attacked his pregnant partner by standing on her belly.
Mr Woodbury, 42, also slammed her arm into a door and called her a “c***” in front of their two-year-old son in the 2020 incident.
Despite serving a 12-month good-behaviour bond and receiving a $200 fine without conviction, NAAJA hired him as its director in March of this year.
In statements during the sentencing made in October 2020 and reported by The AustralianJudge Greg Borchers described Mr Woodbury as “someone who does not persevere in his work”.
“I don’t know how I’m going to consider that you’ve had so many jobs, but you’ve never stayed in one,” Judge Borchers said.
‘Almost every single legal professional in this court has one job: to be a legal professional.
“You’ve had so many jobs and you’ve never stayed in one, except for a long period of time in Parks and Wildlife… that’s a track record of someone who never stays in one job.”
Hugh Woodbury (pictured), the head of an Aboriginal legal service that receives up to $30 million a year in public funding, has a dark past that includes shocking abuse.
Judge Borchers said he would not record a sentence because Woodbury’s partner said “you are very supportive of her… you are a good father and she needs help.”
He added: “I accept that at some point you may wish to consider entering a legal career.”
Woodbury’s violence against his partner and his lack of qualifications sparked a backlash against his appointment.
‘Indigeneity cannot be the only thing on their CV, or they cannot be hired just because they are interested in the job or are available,’ Liberal Senator Kerrynne Liddle said.
He noted that earlier this year, NAAJA’s services were not functioning after losing dozens of staff and Aboriginal defendants had to represent themselves in court.
“This is an organisation that is supposed to help the most vulnerable people, and it’s failing to do that,” Liddle said.
The South Australian senator called on the federal and Northern Territory governments to withdraw funding from NAAJA.
Mr Woodbury, the chairman of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), has been called to resign after it was revealed he assaulted his pregnant partner by standing on her stomach. The NAAJA building in Darwin is pictured
An agency spokesman defended Woodbury, saying he “understands the needs of our communities.”
“He is young, intelligent and passionate about empowering Aboriginal communities. We need more young Aboriginal people in leadership positions, not fewer.”
The NAAJA spokesperson said Woodbury has “extensive experience in the legal and community services sectors in the Territory, having worked as an Indigenous family liaison officer for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and as a welfare rights officer for the then Legal Service of Central Australia.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NAAJA for further comment.
