Michael Gunner appoints brother-in-law Ryan Neve as his deputy chief of staff

MICHAEL Gunner has appointed his brother-in-law Ryan Neve as his deputy chief of staff

Michael Gunner has appointed his brother-in-law Ryan Neve as his new deputy chief of staff

MICHAEL Gunner has appointed his brother-in-law Ryan Neve as his new deputy chief of staff.

The appointment comes the day after he cleared out the three top members of his inner sanctum in a major shake-up of his office a year out from the election.

Mr Neve is married to Mr Gunner’s sister, Rebecca.

He has been working as director of communications in the Department of Chief Minister and had a leading role in rolling out Labor’s alcohol policy reforms.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner inspects progress on a $10.3 million hall at Darwin Middle School on Tuesday. Picture: Keri Megelus

Mr Gunner refused to confirm Mr Neve’s appointment on Tuesday and did not disclose how long outgoing chief of staff Alf Leonardi would remain on the payroll.

Mr Leonardi is currently on sick leave but Mr Gunner’s office has made it clear he won’t be returning to the ranks of ministerial staffers.

He has been permanently replaced by Attorney-General Natasha Fyles’ chief of staff Emily Beresford-Cane.

Mr Gunner declined to say how long Mr Leonardi would continue to be paid.

His salary is believed to be more than $300,000 a year.

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“All workers in any workplace are entitled to sick leave … (sick leave arrangements are) between Alf and HR,” Mr Gunner said.

Mr Leonardi’s deputies, Kieran Phillips and Helen Nezeritis, copped demotions in the staffing reshuffle.

Mr Gunner declined to say if those demotions would be accompanied by pay cuts but said his office would cut its budget by 3 per cent.

Mr Gunner denied Mr Leonardi had been blamed for the declining fortunes of his government.

He was “very grateful” for Mr Leonardi’s 4½ years as his chief of staff in government and opposition.

“We’ve had a very successful working partnership,” Mr Gunner said.

Cleaning out his three top advisers was a “basic office change” and not acknowledging a grim election outlook.

“This is simply a reset within the office, three years in and one year out (from an election),” he said.

A leaked list of fifth floor staffers has revealed nine communications staff work within Mr Gunner’s office.

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Another eight media advisers work across the offices of the other ministers.

The list, obtained by the NT News, reveals the names and positions of the 90 people in ministerial support roles on Parliament’s fifth floor.

Mr Gunner’s roster of 27 staff include two failed Labor candidates.

Phil Tilbrook, who ran in Spillet at the 2016 election, is employed as a “union liaison officer” and Mick Taylor, who received only 860 votes in Goyder, is a “research officer”.