Questions remain unanswered as Finocchiaro stands by Burgoyne
Embattled Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne will retain his shadow ministries even if convicted of careless driving. Read why he’ll hold on.
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Charged Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne will remain on the CLP frontbench even if convicted of a careless driving charge.
Defending claims the opposition had shown double standards in how it handled the aftermath of the crash that led to the charges being laid on Monday, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Burgoyne would retain his shadow portfolios if convicted.
Mr Burgoyne was driving a private car with his pregnant wife Lisa when the crash occurred in Alice Springs in August.
Two remote health workers in the other vehicle are understood to have suffered broken bones in the smash.
Mr Burgoyne was on Monday charged with careless driving causing serious harm after news emerged last week police were investigating the incident.
As well as being Member for Braitling, Mr Burgoyne holds a number of shadow ministries including Territory Families, Renewables and Energies and Agribusiness and Fisheries.
Ms Finocchiaro, who has called for the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech over revelations he brought shares in grocery distributor MetCash, said she is standing by her man.
“Josh Burgoyne remains an incredibly important part of our team and he has a job to do and I actually think it would be reckless and disrespectful to the people of Braitling to take any action, because of course he’s there to represent them and he’s a fighter for the people of Alice Springs,” she said.
“No matter the outcome of this court investigation, Josh will remain a critical part of our team, he will continue to represent the people of Braitling in the fierce and passionate way that he does.
“He will continue to hold shadow ministerial portfolios and the responsibility of the Whip, and continue to be a key player in a team that was solely focused on advancing the Northern Territory for the greater good of everyone.”
Ms Finocchiaro defended the CLP’s secrecy around the crash.
“In August last year a colleague of mine who is also a Territorian had a traffic accident, just like many other people experience, and there was nothing to indicate at that time that anything further would come of that.
“Fast forward seven months to last week he was simply notified charges would be laid,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“I felt it very prudent that there was factual information available to the community, which is exactly why on being charged Josh came forward and made all that publicly available.”
Ms Finocchiaro was unable to precisely recall when she became aware Mr Burgoyne faced prosecution, recalling it was either Tuesday or Wednesday of last week.
“I fully accept the criticism from some that we should have made that public but my response is what information would we have provided,” she said.
“What’s really important is that factual information is made available to the public, which is exactly what happened yesterday and that’s exactly what will continue to happen as this process now plays out.”
‘Today I have been charged’: Cops move on Burgoyne after crash
Braitling MLA Joshua Burgoyne has formally been charged by NT Police following a car crash in Alice Springs last August.
Northern Territory Police confirmed a 34-year-old was expected to face court on March 4 after a two-car collision at the intersection of the Stuart Hwy and Norris Bell Ave.
Mr Burgoyne, who is Opposition Whip and Shadow Attorney-General, allegedly failed to give way while travelling outbound.
It is understood two people in the other vehicle, healthcare workers returning from a remote community, sustained broken bones and were taken to hospital for treatment.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Burgoyne said he was seeking legal advice after being charged with a count of careless driving causing serious harm, which carries a maximum penalty of 18 months imprisonment.
“In August last year, my wife and I were involved in a traffic accident,” he said.
“Police, fireys and ambulance attended the scene.
“At that time I was told those taken to hospital were as a matter of precaution.
“I am thankful my wife who was 38 weeks pregnant at the time was unharmed.
“Since then, I had not heard anything further about the accident and had no reason to believe there would be any actions taken.
“Last week I was called by police, indicating I would likely be charged in relation to the accident.
“For the first time, today [Monday] I have now been charged with careless driving causing serious harm under the Traffic Act.
“I will now follow the process as anyone would, having been involved in a traffic accident.
“I’ve sought legal advice and it’s important that as the matter is before the courts I don’t speak further on the events of the accident.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and my family during this time.”
Mr Burgoyne would not take any questions.
Police Minister Brent Potter called on Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and the CLP to “come clean about what happened”.
“She wants to be the chief minister one day yet she doesn’t have the integrity, intestinal fortitude to come and answer the hard questions.
“Why did it take six months for them to speak about it publicly? What were the circumstances of the alleged crash? Will she stand by one of her team who is potentially facing criminal charges?
“She has yet to come forward and tell Territorians what she knows – (Mr Burgoyne) is a member of her shadow cabinet and she’s called for people to step down for much less.”
It comes as the government remains amid its own integrity crisis, after it was revealed Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech bought shares in an alcohol supplier while fiercely advocating for Intervention-era grog bans to be lifted.
Mr Potter argued there was “a stark contrast” in how the matters were handled, pointing to multiple media appearances his Labor colleagues made about the shareholding.
“Lia and Josh have dodged, ducked and dived the media,” he said, noting that only Mr Burgoyne was facing criminal allegations.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Janelle Tonkin said it was not unusual for traffic investigations to take months before charges were laid.
“It honestly depends on the complexity of the investigation,” she said.
“I’m not sure if the residential addresses of those people that were involved were accessible to police or not, or what their injuries were, and so there might be some contributing factors there.”
A spokesman for NT WorkSafe previously confirmed an investigation into the crash was underway, but that Mr Burgoyne’s alleged actions were “currently not the focus of NT WorkSafe’s inquiry”.
CLP MLA likely to be charged over crash that injured health workers
February 16, 9am: An Alice Springs politician could face dangerous driving charges after he injured two health care workers in August last year.
Correspondence received by the NT News revealed Braitling MLA Joshua Burgoyne on August 26, 2023 crashed his car into another vehicle which contained two people.
An NT WorkSafe spokesman confirmed the incident near the airport was under investigation by the WHS body.
“Two health care workers were injured in the incident and were treated in Alice Springs Hospital,” he said.
“Initial findings indicate the workers had been undertaking remote travel to a community and were returning to Alice Springs when the incident occurred.”
It is understood the healthcare workers suffered broken bones in the incident.
But the spokesman said Mr Burgoyne’s actions were “currently not the focus of NT WorkSafe’s inquiry”.
“Potential breaches of the Northern Territory’s road rules is under the jurisdiction of NT Police,” he said.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro on Friday morning said Mr Burgoyne was contacted by traffic police this week and told he would “likely be charged” in relation to the incident.
“He immediately informed me. There is no further information regarding charges,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
She also said Mr Burgoyne had told her of the crash at the time of the incident.
“My immediate concern was for the safety of all those involved, particularly his heavily pregnant wife who was in the car,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“I was told police and ambulance attended the incident as per the usual processes.”
Her response comes after other NT media outlets reported Mr Burgoyne had already been charged.
The NT News has previously sought comment from NT Police to confirm whether charges had been laid.
Police in response said they were unable to confirm any charges or details of the incident.
The CLP has only recently acknowledged the incident, despite Mr Burgoyne and other opposition MLAs positioning themselves as staunch law and order advocates.
A CLP spokesman told the NT News Mr Burgoyne had been involved in a crash in August.
“He is currently going through the usual and proper process,” he said.
“The Member for Braitling has co-operated fully with traffic police.”
The spokesman did not confirm how long the party had been aware of the incident or if any internal action had been taken against Mr Burgoyne.
The NT News attempted to contact Mr Burgoyne, and has not yet received a response.
Police Minister Brent Potter said Territorians deserved to know what happened during the incident almost six months ago.
Mr Potter said the potential charges were “serious allegations” and could carry a prison sentence.
He questioned Ms Finocchiaro’s and Mr Burgoyne’s integrity for not disclosing the incident to the public sooner.
“I’m assuming that (if) a police investigation has been ongoing for six months, we’d have engagement back and forward between the police and Josh Burgoyne and therefore Lia,” he said.
“She’s known for six months, she’s had every opportunity over the last six months to say something to Territorians, come forward and own it, and show a little bit (of) fortitude.
“She’s chosen the easy wrong decision rather than the hard right.”
NT Police has been contacted for comment.
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