The chair of the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA), Paul Vogel, has accepted a new position as a strategic adviser for a mining company, raising integrity concerns. This development comes after scrutiny over his previous undisclosed consultancy work with lobbyists linked to the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas (DLNG) plant, where a significant methane leak was kept secret for nearly 20 years until recently exposed.

Vogel's new role with bauxite miner VBX Limited involves advising on the company's Wuudagu project in Western Australia. His responsibilities include navigating the approvals process, ensuring the coherence of environmental assessment documentation, and engaging with stakeholders. VBX Limited has also applied for mining exploration licenses on ecologically sensitive Melville Island in the Northern Territory.

Environmentalists and federal crossbenchers have criticized the NT EPA's handling of the DLNG leak, which has been described as a national scandal. Santos, the operator of the DLNG plant, has been allowed to proceed with its Barossa gas project without addressing the leak, prompting calls for accountability.

Integrity expert Geoffrey Watson expressed concerns about Vogel's dual roles, stating it is "very inappropriate" for a regulator to simultaneously work for the industry they oversee. Vogel has denied any conflict of interest, asserting that he has not advised companies regulated by the NT EPA and last worked for the industry lobbyist 18 months ago.

Kirsty Howey, executive director of the Environment Centre NT, voiced her concerns about Vogel's new position. She stated, "This goes to the heart of public confidence in the regulation of some of the most damaging and polluting projects in the country." Howey emphasized the importance of institutional integrity, noting that the perception of a conflict of interest is as significant as an actual conflict.

In response to inquiries, Vogel indicated he would update the NT EPA's register of interests and recuse himself from any discussions or decisions related to VBX Limited if necessary. However, NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo criticized the situation, stating it raises serious doubts about the independence of the EPA chair. She called for transparency and accountability from the government.

Calls for Vogel's resignation intensified after his undisclosed ties to the DLNG shareholders were revealed. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the federal Greens Environment spokesperson, labeled Vogel's position as "untenable" and urged him to resign.

The NT EPA has characterized the methane leak as a "commercial matter" for Santos, whose environmental license at DLNG is set to expire. Meanwhile, Victorian Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May has called on the federal government to intervene and appoint an independent assessor to address the leak, arguing that the NT EPA is too conflicted to handle the situation adequately.