Former Labor leader Delia Lawrie defends texts about female ALP ministers

FORMER Labor leader Delia Lawrie has defended comments she made in private text messages about two senior female ministers saying she has always supported the promotion of women in politics

Former Labor leader Delia Lawrie has defended comments she made in private text messages about two senior female ministers

FORMER Labor leader Delia Lawrie has defended comments she made in private text messages about two senior female ministers saying she has always supported the promotion of women in politics.

The former Opposition Leader also said she had never wanted to be Chief Minister, and only took the job as Labor leader after the 2012 election to “prevent a couple of duds” taking the job.

In texts leaked last week, Ms Lawrie suggested Treasurer Nicole Manison was not in a position to become Chief Minister because she “has too many lil bubs to care for”, and described Attorney-General Natasha Fyles as “too nasty”.

In a long letter to the NT News, Ms Lawrie said she had simply been stating “the uncomfortable truth” about the challenges of juggling a young family with a demanding career.

“To be Chief Minister, regardless of party politic, is a job that requires a lot of travel,” she said.

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“When you’re travelling, you’re literally away from home. Duh. Taking the bubs and young kids with you is hard. We do it because we have to. It is so very far from ideal for them and you.”

She also defended her comment about Ms Fyles being “too nasty” saying her role as Leader of Government Business was to be an “attack dog”.

“I did it, so I totally understand the perceptions of nasty,” she said. “Tash as a person is lovely. The role is nasty.”

Ms Lawrie said the greatest regret of her political career was the time spent away from her daughters and son.

“There is no balance. Work comes first and it blitzes family life. This is why I never wanted to be Chief Minister. I took Opposition Leader to simply prevent a couple of duds and give the newcomers a chance.”

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Ms Lawrie said she had “personally sought and supported both Natasha Fyles and Nicole Manison when far less deserving blokes had pretty much stitched up preselections for the seats they now hold”.

“I encouraged them through the challenges of having babies and young kids while campaigning and in parliament and I truly hope that all the efforts I made gave them a journey that wasn’t as toxic as mine … which included assuring colleagues that pregnancy is not a communicable disease because of the ridiculous and vile things being said to me.”

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■ READ Delia Lawrie’s full letter in the Sunday Territorian