Labor pollies speak out in support of ousted colleague Ken Vowles

LABOR backbenchers have broken ranks to speak publicly in support of their ousted colleague Ken Vowles

Labor backbencher Chansey Paech, left, has broken ranks to speak publicly in support of his ousted colleague Ken Vowles. Picture: Emma Murray

LABOR backbenchers have broken ranks to speak publicly in support of their ousted colleague Ken Vowles.

Sandra Nelson and Chansey Paech yesterday publicly backed Mr Vowles, who was banished from caucus and sacked from his ministerial roles last December.

“As far as I am concerned Ken is an elected member of the Labor Party,” Mr Paech said.

“I don’t have a problem with Ken coming back to caucus.”

RELATED

MOVES afoot to bring Vowles back to Labor fold

Ms Nelson said she would welcome Mr Vowles back to the fold.

“I think he contributed previously and he has a contribution to continue to make,” she said. “He is an experienced member of caucus.”

But Ms Nelson said Mr Vowles needed to repair his broken relationship with Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

“There’s work that needs to be done on both sides,” she said

The NT News on Tuesday exclusively revealed momentum was building within caucus to bring Mr Vowles back to caucus.

TOP STORIES

HERO Darwin sailor saves life of newborn baby

TWO people bitten by croc at waterfall

TOP 50: The Territory’s greatest sports stars

DEPT under fire for attitude towards fatal crash inquest

ANOTHER day in paradise: Man skols beer through fish head

PHOTO GALLERY: NT firies battle raging blaze

But speaking on Mix 104.9 later, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Mr Vowles’ future was not on his agenda, despite a spokesman previously saying he would not stand in the way of a caucus vote being held.

“Nothing has really changed,” Mr Gunner said.

“Caucus made a unanimous decision eight months ago and nothing has really changed at all in that space.”

But Mr Vowles said his door was open to a reconciliation.

Picture galleries: 50 more of the Territory’s cutest cats

“While this is a matter for caucus members, I welcome any opportunity to discuss a way to improve our government,” he said.

“In the meantime, I will continue to focus my attention on representing the people of Johnston which I have proudly done for the last seven years.”

When asked if he would pledge loyalty to Mr Gunner, Mr Vowles was noncommittal.

“There will be lots of discussions before we get to that point,” he said.

OUR best value NT News subscription deal yet: $1 a week

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said she would be “very happy” to take part in caucus discussions around bringing Mr Vowles back.

However, Ms Lawler said there would be some obstacles in Mr Vowles’ way.

“There need to be some actions that need to be followed up around those things if Ken was to come back into caucus,” she said.

COMPETITION: WIN a motorhome or caravan, plus other daily prizes up for grabs!

She said the question over Mr Vowles’ future was a “distraction” to the work of the Labor Government.