Alice Springs Town Council opts to leave former Yipirinya principal’s spot vacant until election

The former principal of a Red Centre school – who is currently before the courts – gave up his council spot. Now, the council has made a decision on what to do about it.

Alice Springs Town Council chambers. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Northern Territory local government will have a councillor-sized hole for months after the elected members voted not to fill a vacancy left by a former principal – who is currently fighting assault charges before the courts.

At the Tuesday Alice Springs Town Council meeting, all but one elected member voted against appointing a new councillor to the vacancy left by former Yipirinya principal Gavin Morris.

Mr Morris resigned from council last month.

Former Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris leaves Alice Springs local court with solicitor Luke Officer last year. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

His resignation has left the council down one elected member – only months after a vacancy was filled by newly appointed councillor Chris Daffy.

But with local government elections due to take place in August, councillors voted against filling the role via appointment.

Deputy-mayor Mark Coffey outlined the reasons why, believing “it’s not a good use of resources to get an elected member who might attend one or two meetings”.

Other elected members agreed, except for councillor Eli Melky who wanted the role filled via appointment.

“You know, democracy is a really, really important thing and we need to exercise and get involved in democracy as many times as possible,” he said.

“I think we should go through the process, dare I say, and find the next person who’s very enthusiastic about council, and they may well turn around and run again – but at least it gives them a small glimpse and they may get re-elected.”

Alice Springs Town Council meetings are held once month in council chambers, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Currently, the NT 2019 Local Government Act allows councils to leave councillor roles vacant if the vacancy occurs three months or less before local government elections.

If the vacancy occurs between six to three months ahead of the election, the council can vote to appoint a member to fill the role.

Mr Morris also sat on the council’s sports advisory committee, with the council resolving to appoint Mr Daffy to it.

Mr Morris, the former principal of Yipirinya School in Alice Springs, was charged with five counts of aggravated assault in August 2024, with his matter still before the courts.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A 10-day hearing on his matter will take place in the Alice Springs Local Court in September.

Originally published as Alice Springs Town Council opts to leave former Yipirinya principal’s spot vacant until election