Gunner looking into legality of securing NT borders

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said his office is currently looking into the logistics of effectively closing the Territory’s borders to people arriving here, including all other Australians

Chief Minister Michael Gunner says his office is currently looking into the legality of securing the NT’s borders. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• Chief Minister not ruling out closing NT’s borders to rest of country
• ‘NT should close its borders now,’ say Territorians

NORTHERN Terrioty Chief Minister Michael Gunner said his office is currently looking into the logistics of closing the Territory’s borders.

At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Gunner said the Government is checking what Commonwealth powers or Commonwealth personnel are needed to implement restrictions of movement of people into the NT.

He said they are currently investigating what those restrictions would look like.

“My understanding based on verbal advice is we can’t stop the freedom of movement, but we can control the movement.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner updates on the Business Improvement Scheme fromParap Fine Foods with owner Neville Pantazis

Posted by The NT News on Wednesday, 18 March 2020

“We may need the Commonwealth government to provide assistance in terms of power or personnel.”

Mr Gunner said one option could be following in the footsteps of Tasmania and forcing travellers into the state — including returning state residents (or in the Territory’s case, NT residents) — to go into 14 days quarantine.