New faces but Chief Minister Michael Gunner told to ‘get off his arse’ in reshuffled Cabinet

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner should ‘get off his arse’ and take up some of the more onerous portfolios in Wednesday’s reshuffle, according to dumped backbencher Scott McConnell

Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby watches as NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner announces that Mr Kirby had been voted into Cabinet. Picture: Justin Kennedy

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner should “get off his arse” and take up some of the more onerous portfolios in Wednesday’s reshuffle, according to dumped backbencher Scott McConnell.

Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby was voted into Cabinet by the Labor caucus on Tuesday, replacing former minister Ken Vowles, who was one of three Labor members to be expelled from caucus along with Mr McConnell and Jeff Collins.

His elevation will bring about a reshuffle to fill the vacant portfolios of Aboriginal affairs and primary industry and resources.

■ PORT Darwin MLA Paul Kirby named as Gunner Government’s new minister

Mr McConnell said Mr Gunner, who he described as “weak and flaccid”, needed to take on more responsibility in the next iteration of Cabinet.

The Chief Minister was previously police and business minister but dropped those roles in the last reshuffle in August.

Mr McConnell said he wasn’t convinced of the need to elevate a ninth minister, which comes with a payrise of $81,348 for Mr Kirby.

“I’ve got a message for Michael – get off your arse and do some work and hold a portfolio of substance,” he said.

Mr Gunner holds the portfolios of treaty, children and major projects, none of which have stand-alone departments.

Tuesday’s caucus meeting was the first time the 15-member group met since it voted to eject the rebel trio last month.

Member for Sanderson Kate Worden will take up Mr Kirby’s position as Labor whip.

It won’t be revealed until Wednesday what portfolios Mr Kirby will hold.

He said on Tuesday he had no preference.

It’s unlikely Mr Kirby will take up the resources portfolio given his history as an organiser for the ETU.

The union is rabidly opposed to fracking and would put Mr Kirby in an awkward position given Labor’s support for the gas industry.

Mr Kirby said the decision to lift Labor’s former moratorium on fracking followed some “robust debates”.

But he said he was now “absolutely” in support of his Government’s pro-fracking stance.

Mr Kirby acknowledged he would likely cop some flak from his former union comrades.

“It’s a very divisive issue, people all through the Territory and Australia have different opinions on (fracking),” he said.

Mr Kirby’s appointment comes after Mr Vowles, who was sacked late last month, warned the new minister would need to be submissive and obedient.

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WHO IS PAUL KIRBY

Moved to Darwin in 1997

* Has three children - Alana, Jake and Layla.

* Began working as a linesman with Power and Water in 1997 where he was later elected as a workplace representative by his colleagues.

* In 2013, he left Power and Water to work for the Electrical Trades Union.

* Elected as ALP Member for Port Darwin in the 2016 Territory election, taking over the seat from former CLP minister John Elferink, who held it for eight years.