NTPA, CLP hit out at Brent Potter’s promotion to Police Minister in cabinet reshuffle
A backbencher with just over a year’s experience in government has become the Territory’s new Police Minister in a major cabinet reshuffle. Read why the NTPA is not happy.
Northern Territory
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The Territory’s new Police Minister says his number one priority is recruiting more police officers, however not everybody has faith in the “junior” new cabinet member.
Fannie Bay MLA Brent Potter was on Monday sworn into the role alongside gaining responsibility for fire and emergency services, plus veteran’s affairs, in a major government reshuffle.
It marks a huge promotion for Mr Potter who was only elected in August last year and has no frontbench experience – something both the NT Police Association and Country Liberal Party have already criticised.
However Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the veteran’s background proved he could take on a “tough mission”.
“I’m giving Brent a big job and I expect a lot from him,” she said.
“But I’m giving him this job because I know he will excel at it.
“He also has a very narrow focus just with police, the fire and emergency services and veterans because that is where I want him to focus his energy.”
During his short time in government, Mr Potter has been vocally against an RV proposal in his leafy electorate and has called on the Darwin City Council to crack down on rough sleepers.
In his first press conference as minister, he was frank about the need for crime and anti-social behaviour to turn around.
“There is no question that over recent time the behaviours of some of our community have not met the collective community expectation,” Mr Potter said.
EVERY CHANGE REVEALED: Fyles’ new-look cabinet
“These behaviours are completely unacceptable.
“We can’t downplay this behaviour, because that cheapens the impact on our community cohesion, and ultimately impacts the victim.”
While welcoming the separation of Territory Families from police in ministerial responsibilities, NTPA president Nathan Finn said the union had “very real concerns” about Mr Potter’s “lack of experience”.
“The Police portfolio is too important to be handballed to a novice minister with a mere 12 months of government experience,” he said.
“A sensible decision would have been for Natasha Fyles to reclaim the portfolio, which has traditionally sat with the Chief Minister.
“The NTPA is willing to work with whoever has (the) responsibility … but there must be real and meaningful consultation, to address the concerns of our members.
“To date, that has been severely lacking.”
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro also took aim at Mr Potter and Johnston MLA Joel Bowden’s promotion to the frontbench.
“The most glaring omission from the cabinet reshuffle was the fact that the Chief Minister has now given her most junior ministers two of the most significant portfolios,” she said.
“Brent Potter was Nicole Manison’s failed police adviser and now is a junior minister taking on that all important responsibility.
“We know that under Labor, chronic crime is at historic levels and our economy is going backwards and today’s reshuffle isn’t going to do anything to show Territorians that they’re fit to lead.”
Mr Potter said he was planning to meet Police Commissioner Michael Murphy on Monday night and NT Police Association president Nathan Finn the following day.
“There is no time for wasting. The best way to get the ground truth is to get out among it,” he said.
“So my intent is over the next fortnight to get to ride alongs with our officers, not with the senior management but with our general duties officers.
“Not during the day shift, but the afternoon and night shift. That’s when it’s toughest. And that’s when we see it at its rawest.”
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Originally published as NTPA, CLP hit out at Brent Potter’s promotion to Police Minister in cabinet reshuffle
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