Chief Minister Michael Gunner won’t rule out punishing colleagues

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner won’t say if backbenchers Chansey Paech and Sandra Nelson will be punished for speaking out in support of their banished colleague Ken Vowles

Chief Minister Michael Gunner won’t say if ALP backbenchers Chansey Paech and Sandra Nelson will be punished. Picture: Keri Megelus

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner won’t say if backbenchers Chansey Paech and Sandra Nelson will be punished for speaking out in support of their banished colleague Ken Vowles.

The backbencher pair broke ranks this week to tell the NT News they wanted the former primary industries minister to rejoin caucus.

It was the first time any Labor members spoke publicly in support of Mr Vowles since he was exiled from caucus and stripped of his ministerial positions in December.

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When asked by the NT News on Wednesday if the rebel duo could expect to face consequences for speaking out, Mr Gunner dodged the question.

“Caucus voted unanimously to remove Ken from caucus. This position has not changed,” he said.

The issue of whether to allow Mr Vowles to re-enter the fold has been raised in caucus several times, but so far Mr Gunner has been able to hold off a formal vote from being held.

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TThe next opportunity for a vote to take place is at August’s caucus meeting.

Mr Gunner said he would not stand in the way.

“Caucus members are free to raise this issue within caucus at any time,” he said.

“I remain focused on creating jobs for Territorians, cutting crime and investing in kids.”

Mr Vowles was sacked late last year after he refused to publicly back Mr Gunner’s leadership.

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It’s likely he will be expected to pledge his allegiance to the chief minister should he return to the fold.

But when asked if he would do so, Mr Vowles would say only “lots of discussions” would be needed.

Opposition Leader Gary Higgins said the saga was a symptom of the Gunner Government’s “chaos and dysfunction”.

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“This Government clearly lacks maturity and needs to spend a bit more time thinking about Territorians more than themselves, as we continue to live in a crime crisis, have the lowest business confidence in the nation, the worst performing economy in the nation, and a declining population,” he said.