Michael Gunner ‘will do anything to stay leader’, says dumped Labor minister Ken Vowles

DUMPED Labor Minister Ken Vowles unleashes new tirade at Chief Minister Michael Gunner: ‘He’ll do anything to stay leader’

Ousted Labor member Ken Vowles says Michael Gunner will do ‘anything’ to remain chief minister, Picture: Justin Kennedy

MICHAEL Gunner will do “anything” to stay chief minister, says ousted Cabinet member Ken Vowles.

Mr Gunner sacked Mr Vowles from his jobs as Aboriginal affairs and primary industry minister and banned him from caucus late last year after he refused to back his leadership.

Freed from the restraints of caucus rules, Mr Vowles let loose at Mr Gunner, who he said was concerned only with maximising his own chance of re-election and maintaining his grip on power.

“Michael is only about protecting his leadership; he’s proved that,” he told the NT News on Thursday.

“The number one thing he said for sacking me was because I wouldn’t support him publicly, so that’s an insight into the man he is.

“It’s all about leadership, it’s all about power. I think we’re seeing that played out now. It’s more messaging, more spin.”

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner sacked Ken Vowles from his job as a Government minister late last year after Mr Vowles refused to back his leadership. Picture: Keri Megelus

But Mr Vowles said he believed it was unlikely any of his former colleagues within the Labor caucus would have the guts to challenge Mr Gunner for the leadership of the party.

“Michael’s not going anywhere. He will do anything to still be the chief minister,” he said.

His spray comes a day after Mr Gunner paraded former Western Australia under-treasurer John Langoulant in front of the media.

Mr Langoulant has been appointed by the Government to conduct a review of the Territory’s dire financial situation.

Mr Langoulant has been paid $10,000 by the Territory since October.

Prior to his sacking, Mr Vowles called for Treasurer Nicole Manison to drop her other portfolios to better focus on getting the budget under control.

He pointed at Mr Langoulant’s appointment as evidence that was the right call.

“When you have the situation that you have to bring someone else in to sort out your budget, that in itself is extraordinary,” he said.

“That’s the Treasurer’s job, that shouldn’t be someone else’s job. The people who’ve been elected by the people should know more about the Territory than anyone else. That expertise should be within government.”

The upcoming Budget would determine whether the Government would survive, Mr Vowles said.

“Michael promised to be open and accountable and he hasn’t been that. This budget is going to be a test of his leadership, a test of his character and his Cabinet and his Government,” he said.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s chief os staff, Alf Leonardi

If they failed, Labor would find itself in opposition in 2020, he warned.

“We need to stop the spin and be honest and truthful with Territorians or they are going to hurt us at the ballot box,” Mr Vowles said.

With 2019’s first sitting week approaching next month, Mr Vowles said he and his fellow Labor outcasts Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell had a difficult choice to make – support the Government or act as independents.

While they were booted from caucus, Mr Gunner doesn’t have the power to strip the trio of their party membership.

“It’s all up in the air, how we’re going to vote,” Mr Vowles said.

“What do we do, the Labor Government doesn’t want us but we’re still Labor members.”

But he ruled out a return to the fold in the unlikely event an olive branch was extended.

“There’s no way for me to come back. As long as Michael is leader and Alf Leonardi is the chief-of-staff and all the other advisers are there behind Michael, there’s no way I’m coming back,” he said.

Mr Gunner declined to respond to Mr Vowles’ comments.