2 February 2022
Mr Matthew Varley has been appointed as the Northern Territory’s new Corrections Commissioner.
Mr Varley is an experienced senior executive leader with over 24 years’ service in police, justice, government service delivery, executive public administration and organisational capability building.
Most recently, Mr Varley served as the General Manager of Youth Justice and Emergency Management at the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities.
Prior to moving to the Territory, Mr Varley was a career police officer, holding positions with the New South Wales Service and attained the rank of Assistant Commissioner during time with the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
In addition, he has served as the AFP’s adviser to the Federal Attorney-General and Minister for ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Affairs and was the AFP Senior Liaison Officer in Singapore, responsible for Australia’s law and enforcement cooperation with Singapore, Brunei and East Timor.
In 2019, Mr Varley was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
This accolade followed his service as Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, overseeing national responsibilities for policing, national security, intelligence, maritime border security, fire and rescue and emergency management.
Quotes from Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Selena Uibo:
“I welcome the appointment of Matthew Varley and acknowledge the extensive service and experience he brings to the role and to the Territory.
“Mr Varley has overseen management on Territory, State, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ and International levels and I look forward to working with him to achieve better outcomes for Territorians and our justice sector.
“The Territory Labor Government pays its respects and remembers the significant contribution the late Commissioner Scott McNairn made to the Territory during his time as Corrections Commissioner. I also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Acting Commissioner David Thompson during the interim period. I sincerely thank him for stepping up and leading Corrections during a challenging time with the global pandemic.”
Quotes from Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley:
“I’m humbled by this appointment, and genuinely excited to have the opportunity to lead the women and men of NT Correctional Services into the future.
“The organisation has already embarked on a significant reform journey to improve correctional outcomes for prisoners and the community and I’m looking forward to working with the Government, the Attorney-General, NT Correctional Services staff and our broader justice sector partners on this important work. As a former police officer, and now having worked in the NT youth justice system, I understand that community safety is connected to appropriate and effective correctional programs. The job of correctional services officers is a critical one and I’m keen to work with all the staff of NT Correctional Services to deliver a fine service for the Territory.
“I want to pay my respects to my predecessor Commissioner Scott McNairn and I am looking forward to taking his legacy forward. I also want to acknowledge Acting Commissioner David Thompson who has ably led the organisation over the past months.”
Northern Territory Government
