Chief Minister Michael Gunner still not back on the job

A week after being spotted on the Cairns Esplanade, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has still not returned to work.

UPDATE TUESDAY 21 DEC: CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has still not returned to work, but will dial into national cabinet on Wednesday.

That’s despite the NT News being told last week that Mr Gunner would be back from a week of annual leave on Monday December 20.

However at a press conference on Tuesday, Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the Chief had not returned to work.

“The Chief Minister is keeping in touch with the team and he’ll be back speaking to Territorians, But I think it’s important that we all look after our own physical and mental health.”

When asked again if Mr Gunner was on leave, Ms Fyles replied: “Yes, but he will be participating in national cabinet.”

Wednesday’s national cabinet has been scheduled in response to growing Omicron cases across Australia.

UPDATE: CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has been spotted strolling down the Cairns Esplanade just days after his office advised the NT News he was flying interstate to collect his son, not for a holiday.

The NT News was notified on Monday of the weekend sighting by a Territorian.

His office had earlier said the Chief Minister was not on holiday in Cairns.

Later the Chief Minister’s office rolled back that advice confirming he would in fact fly to Cairns to collect his child.

The NT News raised objections to mentioning Mr Gunner’s child in what was a political story, but his office insisted the trip was for the singular purpose of collecting the child.

The Chief Minister’s office did not answer questions about whether Mr Gunner was leaving the Cairns Airport.

Reports at the weekend now have the Chief Minister spotted walking along Cairns Esplanade, meaning regardless of whether or not the collection was at the airport, he certainly spent time in Cairns.

His office wouldn’t confirm when he flew out of Darwin for Cairns.

When asked why the original information was incorrect, his office described it as “banter”.

Frustrations at the Chief Minister’s trip come as mine workers, tour operators, parents of remote students studying interstate and others raise concerns at a two week enforced stay in a high vaccination zone.

This will condemn many returnees to the Territory to an unwanted fortnight in Alice Springs, Katherine or Darwin before they can return to their homes.

Questions have also been raised about the timing of his holiday which ends December 20, the day the tough new restrictions come into force.

EARLIER: THE Chief Minister is on holiday and due to fly to Cairns next week just days after the Government’s border restriction changes threw the holiday plans of thousands of Territorians into chaos.

The Chief Minister’s office confirmed yesterday Michael Gunner would begin an eight day break on Sunday and return to work Monday December 20, the day his tough new border restrictions take effect.

On Thursday the Chief Minister announced border changes, described as “ludicrous” by business owners. Under the changes double-vaccinated Territorians will need to spend 14 days in either Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs before being allowed to continue their journey to low vaccination zones.

A spokesman for the Chief Minister confirmed the holiday and trip to Cairns – but denied his boss was holidaying in the far-north Queensland city.

“The Chief Minister is not holidaying interstate. He will fly to Cairns to pick up his son and bring him back to Darwin and holiday at home.”

The spokesman would not disclose how long Mr Gunner would spend in Cairns and nor whether he’d leave the airport for the collection of the child.

It’s the second consecutive year the Chief Minister has been embarrassed for his holiday.

Last year, after telling Territorians to stay at home for Christmas, Michael Gunner was busted travelling interstate for the festive break.

In August last year, Michael Gunner called on Territorians to cancel their Christmas plans in light of the global pandemic. “My advice to every Territorian is that you can stay here in the Territory. You're safe here, don’t go,” he said.

He ignored his own advice just a few months later and travelled to Queensland.

Originally published as Chief Minister Michael Gunner still not back on the job