Anti-corruption police search home of former APY lands general manager
Anti-corruption police in South Australia have searched the home of Richard King, former general manager of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, as part of a continuing corruption investigation.
Anti-corruption police in South Australia have conducted a search of the home of Richard King, who previously held the position of general manager for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands from 2015 to 2025. This search, which took place on a property confirmed by the SA Police, is part of a broader investigation into historical corruption allegations that have surfaced in the region. The investigation also included the search of a relative's property, signaling the seriousness and the expansiveness of the inquiries being conducted.
The investigation has been characterized as ongoing, with police confirming that no arrests have been made as of yet. This is a continuation of a series of searches conducted earlier this year, including targeted actions at the APY Lands Council offices and other locations in January 2026. The anti-corruption team is gathering evidence, likely in response to allegations of mismanagement and possible fraud that have arisen concerning the governance of the APY Lands, which is an essential area for the Indigenous community.
The implications of this investigation are significant as it highlights the challenges related to governance and transparency in management of Indigenous lands in Australia. As the investigation unfolds, there may be broader repercussions not just for those currently implicated, but for the administrative practices in similar organizations managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands, potentially leading to reforms aiming at increasing accountability and oversight.