‘Dishonest c**p’: Chief Minister Michael Gunner slams opponent’s claim borders will reopen before election to allow for union help

CHIEF Minister Michael has slammed a ‘dishonest’ accusation by a political opponent that he would open the jurisdiction before the election so unionists could come in to assist NT Labor

CHIEF Minister Michael has slammed a “dishonest” accusation by a political opponent that he would open the jurisdiction before the election so unionists could come in to assist NT Labor.

Territory Alliance Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley on Mix 104.9FM and on Facebook today claimed the borders would “definitely” be reopened by the beginning of August, coronavirus permitting, because there was “no way” Mr Gunner would shut Labor supporters and unionists out of the NT.

Mr Gunner slammed the accusation as “dishonest crap” saying he was staying focused on getting the Territory through the crisis.

Anyone who has lived in the Territory for a while knows that with every NT General Election hundreds of hardline Labor...

Posted by Robyn Lambley MLA on Sunday, 31 May 2020

The party and a major union told the NT News there was no organised effort to get people from interstate to assist with NT Labor election campaigns.

Ms Lambley said: “Anyone who has lived in the Territory for a while knows that with every NT General Election hundreds of hard line Labor supporters and unionists from interstate pour into the NT to help them campaign.”

“There is no way Gunner will shut them out,” she said.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture Che Chorley

Mr Gunner said it was spats like this that turned people off politics.

“I’m not copping this dishonest crap from a party that tried to take opposition status in the middle of the coronavirus crisis,” he said.

“While we were worried about saving lives and jobs, they were worried about getting a bigger office. It’s stuff like this that turns people off politics.

“I’m staying focused on getting the Territory through this crisis. I think it says a lot about Terry and his crew that they are more focused on the election.”

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Mandatory quarantine rules will loosen in the NT from June 15, with interstate border closures to be re-examined each week from then on to determine when it is safe to open them.

Mr Gunner has committed to giving 30 days notice for open day.