CLP’s Steve Edgington and Josh Burgoyne in fiery exchange at Katherine Show

The Voice debate has spilt over at the Katherine Show with two CLP pollies involved in a heated – and very public – exchange. Read what happened.

Katherine show revellers were reeling after a heated exchange between two CLP politicians on Friday morning, according to claims from onlookers.

“F***” and words of a similar red-faced intent were allegedly being thrown around in front of showgoers looking forward to the day’s entertainment.

This masthead has confirmed witnesses claim Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne and Barkly MLA Steve Edgington were involved in a heated verbal exchange at Katherine show Friday morning.

The incident had been sparked moments earlier when a staffer for Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price placed a Vote No corflute near Katherine MLA Jo Hersey’s CLP branded marquee.

CLP Member for Braitling Josh Burgoyne in happier times. Photograph: Che Chorley

This masthead understands an approach to Senator Price’s staffer by Ms Hersey and Mr Burgoyne to remove the poster was rejected and the pair returned to Ms Hersey’s marquee.

It was here the heated exchange between Mr Burgoyne and Mr Edgington began, with

Mr Burgoyne overheard telling Mr Edgington he should have supported his efforts to have the poster removed.

“Why don’t you try and do something,” Mr Burgoyne is reported to have said.

“I think (Burgoyne) wanted (Edgington) to talk to Jacinta Price and suddenly I heard Josh telling Steve he’s all talk and no action,” a witness said.

A number of expletives were exchanged during the donnybrook before Mr Edgington is alleged to have said “f***ing see you later” to Mr Burgoyne, walked a lap of the showgrounds and then left.

Show stopper. It’s understood Steve Edgington left the showgrounds after the heated exchange.

Mr Burgoyne is understood to have been fishing with fellow MLA Bill Yan in recent days.

In further bizarre scenes, witnesses claim the feud continued as Mr Edgington was preparing to leave the showgrounds and was again confronted by Mr Burgoyne where further words were exchanged.

The NT News has been told Mr Burgoyne apologised to Mr Edgington.

Comment has been sought from the pair, and what the exchange could mean for the CLP 13 months out from a Territory election.

The Voice to parliament has proven divisive for the CLP, with Senator Price the most high-profile opponent to the proposed referendum to change the constitution.

The CLP parliamentary wing has not opposed The Voice, but has called on federal politicians to travel to the Northern Territory to explain the policy.

Mr Edgington is understood to have missed a scheduled CLP parliamentary wing meeting in Katherine.

Originally published as CLP’s Steve Edgington and Josh Burgoyne in fiery exchange at Katherine Show