CLP condemns violence as Fyles vows to remain community focused

The Chief Minister has shrugged off Sunday’s constituent attack at Nightcliff markets, vowing to maintain a community focus. Read what she said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has condemned violence against public officials and vowed to continue to remain accessible to the public following Sunday’s constituent attack at Nightcliff markets.

Ms Fyles was struck in the face with a creamy crepe by a Palmerston woman who has since been charged.

And the Chief Minister’s political opponents have slammed the incident, with deputy opposition leader Gerard Maley saying there is no place for violence in the Territory.

Sporting a small shiner below her left eye where the contents of the plastic plate made contact with her face, Ms Fyles condemned the action that made headlines around the country.

“It was a fair whack to the face but I know what’s important to Territorians and that’s listening and getting back to work and I’m back at it today,” Ms Fyles said.

Suzi Milgate at the Milgate Real estate, Cullen Bay, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It’s unacceptable. Violence is never acceptable. Here in the Territory members from both sides of the political spectrum and independents, we make ourselves available.

“We love the role we play in the Territory that we’re out and about and we’re part of the community. For me chatting to people at the markets, at Woolies, at sporting events is actually just as important as high-level meetings and briefs.

Ms Fyles said she would work with police and her own security team about ongoing security arrangements.

“One of the great things about the Territory is you can see your members of Parliament out and about in the community, you can approach them and it’s disappointing to have incidents like yesterday,” she said.

“It won’t deter me because I’ll be back out in the community, because that is what is so important to me listening and talking to Territorians.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison at Monday’s media event, 24-hours after she was attacked at Nightcliff markets. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sunday’s attack was the third personalised protest against the Chief Minister in months with anti-fracking protesters targeting her during a fun run in Alice Springs in May and then picketing her electoral office, again during Nightcliff Sunday markets last month.

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said there was “no place” for violence.

“There is never an excuse for violence, and this attack has no place in politics or the Territory,” Mr Maley said. “We are lucky to live in a vibrant democracy and with that comes the responsibility to voice your concerns with respect.

“The right place to voice your concerns against any Government is at the ballot box.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Michael White said anti-Covid vaccination activists would form part of the police investigation.

“It’s an issue across all jurisdictions that people have become fixated on various things and that what the cause of those things isn’t necessarily identified but what we do know is that single issue motivated incidents are on the rise and that’s generally because of a change in opinions about governments, change in opinions about the policies of all governments across Australia.”

Woman charged after Chief Minister allegedly ‘smooshed’ with crepe

Police investigating an alleged “unprovoked” attack on Chief Minister Natasha Fyles on Sunday morning at Nightcliff markets have charged a woman.

Police confirmed early Monday that a 56-year-old woman had been charged with aggravated assault following the incident involving the Chief Minister.

A social media post just before midday Sunday flagged the unfolding political incident.

“Wow, high drama at Nightcliff markets just now,” a Facebook user posted.

“A disgruntled female walked up to the chief minister and smooshed a cream pancake right in her face”.

NT Police have charged a 56-year-old woman over an alleged aggravated assault of the Chief Minister after Natasha Fyles appeared to be attacked with a plate of crepes at the Nightcliff markets.

In response to a question about the incident he reposted: “ … she wiped it off, police called.”

Ms Fyles was attending a 15th anniversary celebration for the Bendigo Bank branch in Nightcliff this morning when the incident took place about 11.30am.

On Monday, Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley condemned the attack, saying there was “never an excuse for violence”.

“This attack has no place in politics or the Territory,” he said.

“We are lucky to live in a vibrant democracy and with that comes the responsibility to voice your concerns with respect.”

“The right place to voice your concerns against any Government is at the ballot box.”

Social media images at the time of the cowardly attack on the chief minister.

Speaking to the NT News shortly after the incident, a witness said the alleged incident was unprovoked and had deeply upset the Chief Minister.

“The female creamed her with a pancake with all the cream,” he said.

“It was like something out of a slapstick movie where they’d cream pie them.

“The Chief Minister was very shocked and quite taken aback.

The moment Ms Fyles is struck in the face by the woman

“The woman stood back from Natasha as she was wiping cream off her face. (The Chief Minister) pulled out her phone and was trying to film and photograph the incident. There were a few people around supporting her but she didn’t appear to be in any danger.”

The witness said a number of witnesses condemned the woman and the attacker indicated the incident was related to a health matter.

“She stood there with another woman and when people were saying she shouldn’t have done she said Natasha stopped her husband having a heart operation.”

The chief minister recoils after the cowardly attack.

Nightcliff market manager Ross Dudgeon also condemned the attack.

“The Chief Minister’s pretty upset,” he said. “It’s always been a relaxed community market. There’s a difference between protesting peacefully and being obnoxious and violent. That’s just not on.

“Natasha is always here every Sunday, grabs a smoothie and she should never be exposed to that sort of aggression and violence.”

Police were still at the market two hours after the incident.

The attack comes a few months after an unauthorised protest by anti-frackers at Nightcliff market that also left the Chief Minister seriously shaken.

The woman, who left the scene soon after the incident, has been bailed to appear in a Darwin Local Court on October 10.

Originally published as CLP condemns violence as Fyles vows to remain community focused