‘Greatly disappointed’: female Labor MLAs denounce scandalised Blain MLA Mark Turner

The women of NT Labor’s caucus have denounced the actions of expelled Blain MLA Mark Turner, as questions remain about his future within the wider Labor Party.

THE women of NT Labor’s caucus have denounced the actions of expelled Blain MLA Mark Turner, as questions remain about his future within the wider Labor Party.

All six female government Ministers and the Speaker denounced the actions of Mr Turner, including that his actions did not “reflect our values” and the decision to boot him out of caucus had been unanimous.

It comes as Mr Turner, who did not return to the parliamentary chamber after the lunch break on Thursday when the Chief Minister announced his expulsion, is yet to surface.

His electorate office has been closed for the week as it gets a new lick of paint, he was not at his home and has not returned calls. It is unclear if he will attend parliamentary sittings next week.

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“The behaviour of the Member for Blain disappoints me greatly, and does not align with the standards and expectations of our team. Not only has our team been let down, so has his family, constituents and the broader Palmerston community”— Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler Picture: Che Chorley

“Mr Turner has lost the trust of the Caucus and is no longer a member of Labor’s parliamentary team. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.”— Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison Photograph: Che Chorley

“The actions of the Member for Blain do not reflect our values and we have done the right thing”—Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“The Member for Blain has lost the trust of our caucus team, and that is why we unanimously voted him out. His actions have been unacceptable, he has let down our team.”— Education Minister Lauren Moss. Photograph: Che Chorley

The NT News, following revelations about Mr Turner’s extramarital affair and text messages that showed he seemingly turned a blind eye to his lover’s cocaine use, asked female government MLAs if they believed their former colleagues conduct met the family values of the Labor Party. They were also asked if they believed he should be allowed to remain in the Labor Party or if he should resign from the party and parliament altogether.

Palmerston-based MLA and Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said Mr Turner’s behaviour had disappointed her “greatly” and did not “align with the standards and expectations of our team”.

“Not only has our team been let down, so has his family, constituents and the broader Palmerston community,” she said.

“The real victims of the Member for Blains actions are his family. The decision to withdraw the Member for Blain’s membership of our Parliamentary team was the right call.”— Territory Families Minister Kate Worden. Photograph: Che Chorley

“I support the decision to remove the Member for Blain from our Parliamentary team and am looking forward to being able to get on with serving Territorians.”— Attorney-General Selena Uibo. Photograph: Che Chorley

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden said “the real victims of the Member for Blain’s actions are his family”.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said her thoughts were with Mr Turner’s family “in this difficult time”.

All seven MLAs said the issue of Mr Turner’s Labor Party membership was a matter for the administrative wing.

NT Labor president Erina Early, who earlier in the week said “anything that could impact the integrity of the party” needed to be addressed, did not reply to a request for comment.

“The Member for Blain is no longer a member of Labor’s parliamentary team. He has lost the trust of this Caucus.”—Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit. Photograph: Che Chorley

Originally published as ‘Greatly disappointed’: female Labor MLAs denounce scandalised Blain MLA Mark Turner