Former National Trust boss accused of plotting to 'destroy' rival group

A former CEO of a prominent heritage conservation group has made explosive allegations against the former head of a rival organisation, claiming he promised to "destroy" the group.

A parliamentary inquiry has heard that the state's largest heritage conservation group attempted to "stack" a dissident branch with more favourable members. The claims were made by ex-History Trust CEO Greg Mackie, a former Adelaide City councillor and SA Premier department chief.

Claims of a 'hostile takeover'

Under parliamentary privilege, Mr Mackie urged the committee to probe the departure of Darren Peacock, who led the National Trust of South Australia from 2015 to 2022. In 2021, the pair clashed when the Marshall government turfed out the National Trust from its Ayers House headquarters to make room for the History Trust – a move the current Labor government reversed.

Mr Mackie alleged that in a 2016 meeting, Mr Peacock "made it abundantly clear that it was his intention to destroy the History Trust and to secure its government funding".

"The circumstances surrounding the departure of Dr Peacock as CEO, and his legendary inability to successfully cultivate relations with its branch volunteer committees is now well-evidenced," Mr Mackie said.

"I encourage this committee inquiry to interrogate the circumstances surrounding his departure from the organisation and the related legal costs which are relevant to the current financial predicament that the National Trust now faces."

Mr Mackie also suggested the National Trust "fails to appreciate the fundamental importance of its hundreds of volunteers" after it attempted to take over running the Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct earlier this year.

"The current CEO and another officer of the National Trust have been working the phones trying to persuade members to temporarily transfer their membership to the Moonta branch, so as to effect a branch stack and therefore legally remove the current branch committee," he alleged.

"All I could say is that it's not uncommon in membership-based organisations for there from time-to-time to see hostile takeovers," he said.

Financial struggles

The National Trust SA is fighting to plug a $300,000 financial deficit and last week said it had begun an "organisational review" to identify ones for sale. Mr Mackie said state governments have been "happy to offload" property onto the National Trust but "there has been little or no provision of funds for maintenance".

National Trust SA vice-president Jo Lokan and president Millie Nicholls said they would consult branches and the Heritage Minister Emily Bourke before selling any of its $57 million portfolio.

"Our sustainability moving forward is to invest in our young people, but also, our older people are our storytellers and they're the people we can't lose," Ms Lokan said.

The next hearing is on Monday 14 September.