Michael Gunner felt ‘like an idiot’ after reading turf club grandstand emails

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner said he ‘felt like an idiot’ after learning the role his former chief of staff played in the Darwin Turf Club’s bid to secure a $12 million grandstand grant

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, right, booted his former chief of staff Alf Leonardi from his role last August

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner said he “felt like an idiot” after learning the role his former chief of staff played in the Darwin Turf Club’s bid to secure a $12 million grandstand grant.

A Freedom of Information request by the ABC has revealed documents that showed Michael Gunner’s former chief of staff Alf Leonardi drafted a letter for the turf club which the club then used to lobby ministers for a $12 million grant.

Mr Gunner said he was “shocked” when he was first shown the emails when the FOI request was made in mid January.

“I was a bit shocked, I felt like an idiot to be honest,”

“Essentially I wrote back to him myself and said I felt a bit like an idiot.”

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Member for Goyder Kezia Purick said she was sceptical that Mr Gunner didn’t know what was going on in his own office.

But the Chief Minister maintains he had no knowledge of what Mr Leonardi was doing at the time.

“I don’t proof read my staffs emails, I don’t think most bosses do,” he said.

“I think he’s tried to be overly helpful in a way that’s unacceptable.”

“I don’t think that my office should have helped draft a letter for someone lobbying government — I think that’s pretty straight forward.”

Mr Leonardi was booted from his role as Mr Gunner’s chief of staff in August and now works as the strategic partnerships senior director within the Education Department.

A spokeswoman from the Education Department said they could not comment on whether Mr Leonardi will be stood down following these revelations.

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