Mark Turner, Wadeye men feature in Country Liberal Party press conference

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro could only watch on as a couple of a Wadeye blokes - and a rival politician - stole the spotlight at a Country Liberal Party press conference. Watch the video.

The Country Liberal Party were in the middle of a press conference when a couple of Wadeye lads hijacked the spotlight to share their life story, with independent MLA Mark Turner also making a cameo performance amid the perplexing media event.

The strange situation occurred at Palmerston Recreation Centre on Thursday afternoon, where opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro and CLP candidate for Drysdale, Clinton Howe, spoke to media to discuss their campaign promises ahead of the Territory’s 2024 general election.

Mark told the NT News he wanted to “tell my story”. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Howe had been in the midst of discussing the importance of “restoring the economy” when a bystander - Wadeye man, Mark - decided he had something to say.

“Can I talk to the news?” Mark asked.

“Absolutely,” Mr Howe replied.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro could only watch on as the press conference took a peculiar turn.

In front of TV cameras, microphones and a curious media scrum, what followed next was a sharp turn of topic.

“Back in the 80s, a policeman shot my brother,” he said.

“His name was (Robert), back in the Wadeye community.”

Realising the press conference was in serious danger of collapsing, Mr Howe offered to set aside a coffee date to hear the story.

“We’ll sit down and we can even go get a coffee and you can tell me.”

Steven said he and his brother would be in town “for a couple of days”.

Out of nowhere, Mark’s brother-in-law, Steven, also jumped into the frame.

“He’s married to my sister,” Steven said.

“We’re from Port Keats, Wadeye.”

Independent MLA Mark Turner decided he would have a chinwag with the Wadeye men.

While Mr Howe patiently listened to the pair, the cameo came to a halt when Member for Blain Mark Turner, wearing an eccentric shirt, offered to converse with the Wadeye men off to the side, allowing the CLP members to finish their presser.

“That is something I love about the Territory,” Mr Howe said as he returned to the microphone.

“We’re very laid back people.”