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National
Mitchell Abram

NT Children's Commissioner committed to stand trial in NT Supreme Court over abuse of office charge

Colleen Gwynne has been committed to stand trial in the NT Supreme Court. (ABC News: Hamish Harty)

The Northern Territory Children's Commissioner has been committed to stand trial after allegedly attempting to appoint a friend to the deputy commissioner role.

Colleen Gwynne has been charged with one count of abuse of office, for allegedly trying to appoint the friend and colleague to the permanent role in 2018.

Late last year a five-day committal hearing was held to determine if the matter would be sent to a trial.

In a hearing on Thursday, Judge Anthony Gett found there was enough evidence and committed Ms Gwynne to stand trial.

"I find by weighing all of the evidence before me … it is sufficient to put the defendant upon trial for the offence charged," Judge Gett said.

Prosecution submissions had 'persuasive force'

Judge Gett said the defence's submissions relied on a lack of evidence to support the charge and had some weight, but that the prosecution's submissions relating to the time of the charge had "persuasive force".

"The test applicable for committals … is a low threshold, particularly when the prosecution case is taken at its highest," he said.

The judge also dismissed a defence suggestion the case could be thrown out if it was found to be of a trivial nature.

"There is nothing in the allegations as they currently stand to distinguish it from a typical breach of the section," he said.  

The matter is scheduled to be next heard in the NT Supreme Court in April.

Ms Gwynne appeared before the Darwin Local Court today. (ABC News: Hamish Harty)
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