’He has lost my trust’: Gunner kicks MLA out of caucus

Blain MLA Mark Turner has been sacked from caucus, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has revealed, saying the MLA had “lost my trust” and the trust of the Labor government.

BLAIN MLA Mark Turner will be removed from caucus, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has revealed, saying the MLA had “lost my trust” and the trust of the Labor government.

Mr Gunner said he had spoken to Mr Turner through the week but it had come to his attention that the first term parliamentarian had not been “completely forthcoming” with him or his colleagues.

A Labor staff member also tied up in the scandal has resigned.

Hon Michael Gunner on the first sitting day of Parliament in 2021. Photograph: Che Chorley

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The Chief Minister confirmed caucus had, during their crisis meeting this morning, voted to remove Mr Turner as deputy speaker.

But since that time Mr Turner had continued “to act dishonestly about his relationships and interactions with others”.

“We have tried to support the Member for Blain through a difficult personal issue that has caused him and his family pain and embarrassment,” Mr Gunner said.

“But he has not met the standards I have set for our team, or the standards our team holds itself to.

“For these reasons, I have recommended that the Member for Blain be removed from the caucus. My colleagues agreed.”

“The Member for Blain has lost my trust. He has lost the trust of the caucus. He is no longer a member of Labor’s parliamentary team,” Mr Gunner said.

“This issue has caused pain and embarrassment for his family, and has been a distraction for the Parliament.

“I believe that personal issues, where there is no issue of criminal activity and no issue of consent, should be dealt with privately, in the family.

“Right now his priorities should be focusing on his family and focusing on his electorate – and nothing else.

“In relation to the media reports about a government staff member, this person categorically rejects any criminal activity, and again, the Leader of the Opposition has failed to produce any evidence to the contrary. The staff member has resigned, as he seeks support for personal issues during a distressing time for his family. “

Originally published as ’He has lost my trust’: Gunner kicks MLA out of caucus