Ken Vowles repeatedly refuses to back Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s leadership

RABBLE-rousing minister Ken Vowles has continued to lob bombs at his own Government as it battles to minimise the fallout from the looming debt disaster

Rabble-rousing minister Ken Vowles has continued to lob bombs at his own Government as it battles to minimise the fallout from the looming debt disaster

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RABBLE-rousing minister Ken Vowles has continued to lob bombs at his own Government as it battles to minimise the fallout from the looming debt disaster.

Speaking to Katie Woolf on Mix104.9 on Thursday morning, Mr Vowles repeatedly declined to back Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s leadership.

When asked if the holidaying Chief had his confidence, Mr Vowles said: “The Chief Minister is the Chief Minister.”

When asked again, Mr Vowles said he believed Mr Gunner was doing the best he was capable of.

“I hope he’s having a great break because he does deserve it,” Mr Vowles said.

Mr Gunner copped heavy criticism for departing for a New Zealand hiking holiday soon after the dire state of the Budget books were revealed, leaving his colleagues to weather the storm of criticism.

But Mr Vowles said the Government was “strong and united” and said they needed to work together the get the Budget back on track.

However he repeated calls for Treasurer Nicole Manison to hand back her other portfolios, which include the onerous police and business portfolios, to focus solely on her responsibilities as Treasurer.

Any of the other Labor members could “easily” take on the task as police minister, Mr Vowles said.

But Ms Manison she had no intention of giving up the job.

“I am more than capable of holding both the Treasurer’s portfolio and the police portfolio and I absolutely intend to stay in those portfolios,” she said on Thursday.

Ms Manison said she was “thoroughly enjoying the challenge” presented by juggling portfolios.

She took a swipe at Mr Vowles for bringing attention to Labor’s internal ructions.

“I have certainly spoken to Ken and let him know that his comments were most unhelpful,” Ms Manison said.

“What Territorians want to see is a government that is absolutely focused on them, their needs and the future of the Northern Territory.”