‘I made a mistake’: Embattled NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles resigns

The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister has been under fire after failing to disclose her shares in a manganese mine.

Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has announced her resignation in the face of increasing scrutiny over her shares in a manganese mine.

Ms Fyles, 45, owned 754 undisclosed shares in South32 – listed in her name in 2015 – and worth just under $2500.

The company owns a manganese mine on Groote Eylandt and there has been community demand to test the mine’s health impacts.

Natasha Fyles will officially resign as Chief Minister and Labor cabinet member from Thursday, but will remain as MP for Nightcliff. Picture: News 24

Ms Fyles, who is also the NT’s health minister, earlier this year said she would not investigate air pollution levels or health impacts from the mine, insisting there was sufficient monitoring already in place.

Fronting the media on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Fyles said while her failure to disclose the shares was “not deliberate or intentional”, it was unacceptable.

“While I did not intentionally fail to declare this interest, it is clear I have failed to meet the standards that are set for us and indeed standards I set for myself,” she said, reading a prepared statement aloud.

“I will not make any excuses for that. For this reason, I believe the honourable cause of action is to resign as chief minister.

“I made a mistake. There is no excuse, I am owning up to it, I accept the consequences, that is the right thing to do.”

Natasha Fyles announced her resignation as NT chief minister on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Fyles will officially resign as chief minister and from her portfolios on Thursday but will remain Labor MP for Nightcliff.

“I am excited to be a full-time local member and I commit to running for Nightcliff in the election next year,” she said.

Ms Fyles then became emotional, speaking about how she attended her father-in-law’s funeral last weekend.

“(The funeral) reminded me that life is well lived that has ups and downs they can be shared with the ones you love the most,” Ms Fyles said.

“Last night, when I told my boys of my decision, a big smile cracked across their faces, they think it is an early Christmas present, getting their mum back.

“For now, in his farewell and I will see you in 2024.”

Ms Fyles did not stay to answer questions from reporters.

She owns 754 undisclosed shares in a manganese mine that she as health minister has refused to investigate. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro on Monday said Ms Fyles owning the shares violated the government’s financial disclosure and conflict of interest policies.

It follows reports in November that Ms Fyles also owned about $5400 in Woodside Energy shares that she has since divested.

Ms Fyles has been NT chief minister since May 2022 and Labor member for Nightcliff since 2012.

Originally published as ‘I made a mistake’: Embattled NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles resigns