The Northern Territory Children's Commissioner has faced her first day of a Supreme Court trial, accused of abusing her office to recruit a friend.
Crown prosecutor Georgina Wright SC opened the case on Wednesday against Colleen Gwynne, who is charged with one count of abuse of office for alleged arbitrary and prejudicial conduct.
The prosecution allege Ms Gwynne gave a negative reference for Nicole Hucks during a recruitment process for the Assistant Children's Commissioner role.
Ms Hucks is currently acting in the role of NT Children's Commissioner.
Ms Wright told the jury Ms Gwynne provided the negative reference for Ms Hucks so her "close" friend Laura Dewson would be recruited instead.
"In short, the accused is charged with abuse of office," Ms Wright said.
"She deliberately set out to undermine the selection process by giving a negative reference for another candidate."
The alleged conduct occurred between December 2018 and June 2019.
"The Crown alleges Laura Dewson and the accused had been close for many years before then," Ms Wright said.
Ms Wright also said the reference provided by Ms Gwynne "sought to create a misleading impression of Ms Huck's suitability."
"The Crown alleges the accused's conduct was prejudicial to the rights of Nicole Hucks and to the rights of the Northern Territory community generally," she told the court.
"It could have cost her the job."
Ms Wright said there would be evidence during the trial that Ms Gwynne failed to disclose this conflict of interest, in breach of her obligations as commissioner and under public service policy.
She told the jury Ms Gwynne's position was invested with a large amount of public trust and an expectation to impartially carry out her functions.
Ms Wright said there would also be evidence during the trial about events leading up to the alleged abuse of office.
"The accused consistently and persistently gave preference to Laura Dewson," she said.
She told the jury this gave Ms Dewson a "leg up" over time.
The jury was told Ms Dewson and Ms Gwynne previously worked together at NT Police, where Ms Dewson worked in an administrative position.
Ms Wright said they later became "close" friends and there would be evidence Ms Dewson wrote about their friendship of "18 years" in a legal deed.
The prosecution is continuing its opening submissions on Thursday.
The trial is expected to last between four to six weeks, with more than 60 potential witnesses expected to give evidence.
