Blain MLA Mark Turner to appeal exile from Labor Party

The Blain MLA says he was ‘blindsided’ when the NT News informed him of Territory Labor’s decision to kick him out, just days after he sought to lodge a bullying complaint.

Mark Turner has taken aim at his party’s decision to boot him out after he approached the Territory Labor secretary about lodging a bullying complaint.

The Blain MLA said he found out he was dumped when this publication informed him of Territory Labor’s stunning statement, released late Thursday afternoon.

It said the decision followed an “unsuccessful discussion” with Mr Turner regarding his intentions to follow party rules.

Mr Turner said he was “absolutely blindsided” by the move, which he has pledged to appeal.

Mark Turner is set to appeal the Territory Labor party’s decision to kick him out of the party. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“This announcement comes a week after I reached out to the secretary of the Territory Labor Party, seeking information on lodging a (bullying) complaint about my treatment by the party,” he said.

“There was no further ‘discussion’ that proved unsuccessful as asserted.

“There was no ‘lengthy process’. In my view there was no process at all.

“I was denied natural justice in the most egregious of forms.

“I will be appealing this decision further as in my view the decision demonstrates a gross departure from the rules and procedure available to all members of the Territory Labor Party.”

It comes almost three years since Mr Turner’s involvement in the so-called cocaine sex scandal.

Despite being cleared in investigations by both the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption and a parliamentary committee, Mr Turner was booted from the Labor caucus but remained a Labor party member.

Territory Labor’s statement said the decision followed a failed discussion with Mr Turner “regarding his intentions to abide by the rules of the Territory Labor Constitution”, while alleging he breached those by voting against a caucus party decision and failing to pay a parliamentary levy.

He has denied not paying his parliamentary levy despite being “excluded from Labor activities for the past three years”.

However Mr Turner, a former police officer, voted against Labor MLAs when he crossed the floor in March to support the CLP’s bid to establish a select committee on policing.

Labor MLA Mark Turner in parliament for the first day of sittings 2023. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

Mr Turner said he was first made aware of the allegations against him in early May, which he responded to two weeks later requesting evidence to support them.

“My requests for further information and evidence were ignored,” he said.

“They unilaterally decided to ‘dismiss the appeal without further action’ and without any prior notice to me, without providing me any opportunity to consider their position and respond.”

A Territory Labor spokeswoman said Mr Turner “was provided with procedural fairness and natural justice” prior to the decision, while confirming he had been notified the same day as the media.

Territory Labor president Anthony Venes said Mr Turner’s inability to follow party rules was at the heart of his dumping.

“This decision comes following a lengthy process where it became obvious that Mr Turner couldn’t abide by our rules and his renewal of membership will not be accepted,” Mr Venes said.

“Territory Labor remains committed to representing the constituents of Blain and we will soon begin our preselection process for a new member to run in the 2024 election”.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she would not make “further commentary” but said she was confident the party undertook a thorough process.

The saga began just days after the 2020 NT election when the former policeman took the seat from Territory Alliance MLA and former chief minister Terry Mills.

In early 2021 after a report in the Sunday Territorian, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro called on then chief minister Michael Gunner to investigate the so-called “cocaine sex scandal”.

Former chief minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The reports involved allegations of cocaine use and a consensual relationship with a woman who was not his wife. Mr Turner denied cocaine use and was later cleared by an NT parliamentary committee, while the ICAC Commissioner dropped his probe.

In response to Ms Finocchiaro’s questions, Mr Gunner told parliament he had lost confidence in Mr Turner, despite being satisfied there had been no illegal activity.

The following month, the Territory Labor Party voted not to boot Turner from the party.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said Territorians'• calls for the Fyles government to take action against violent crime were falling on deaf ears. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Since then, Mr Turner has been a constant thorn in the side of his own party.

In March he questioned why the government was reviewing bail laws and police powers in the wake of the tragic death of a bottle-shop employee.

The CLP on Thursday said the decision lacked “integrity”.

“It’s taken Labor two years to make this decision, again it shows they have no integrity,” a spokeswoman said.

“Voters of Blain know that a vote for Mark Turner is a vote for Natasha Fyles and her failures.

“Blain voters will judge him on his record supporting this disastrous Labor government.”

The next Territory election is due in August next year.