An NT Labor Government timeline December 2018 to August 2019
THE NT had just endured its most chaotic government by far. And in 2016 Labor swept in from the CLP wreckage to form government and promising not to let voters down. Then not much happened. Now we look back at a timeline of nine months of new chaos
Northern Territory
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The NT had just endured it’s most chaotic government by far. And in 206 Labor swept in from the CLP wreckage to form government and promising not to let voters down. Then not much happened. Now we look back at the timeline of the last nine months of new chaos under Labor.
■ AUGUST 27, 2016
The election win
Labor swept to power under Chief Minister Michael Gunner decimating the CLP in the process, leaving them with only two seats. It was all set for a long time in power after the madness of the CLP’s one term back in control.
■ DECEMBER 19, 2018
‘The public have lost faith in us’
A leaked email revealed that Agriculture Minister Ken Vowles told his Labor Government colleagues they needed to “park their egos” to rein in excessive spending and address the NT’s debt crisis.
The email sent to government members by Mr Vowles and passed on to the NT News by a fifth-floor source, gave a blunt assessment of the Territory’s Budget situation, describing the level of debt as “ridiculous”.
He warned his colleagues the community had “clearly lost faith in us and in our ability to manage the Territory and our budget for them”.
Treasurer Nicole Manison conceded Mr Vowles raised valid points in an email.
■ DECEMBER 20, 2018.
Vowles drops bombshell
Rabble-rousing minister Mr Vowles continued to lob bombs at his own Government as it battles to minimise the fallout from the looming debt disaster. Mr Vowles repeatedly declined to back Mr Gunner’s leadership during a radio interview.
■ DECEMBER 21, 2018
Gunner sacks three Labor MLAs
The Gunner Government was left in a state of disarray following the Mr Gunner’s shock decision to sack three ministers including the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Mr Vowles for voicing their criticisms about the government.
Mr Vowles along with two outspoken Labor backbenchers, Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell, were suspended from their caucus following a meeting held the previous day. Mr Vowles accused Mr Gunner’s chief-of-staff Alf Leonardi of orchestrating his sacking. “Michael Gunner doesn’t fart without Alf Leonardi saying so,” he said.
■ DECEMBER 22, 2018
Gunner defends decision to sack three MPs
Mr Gunner abruptly ended his New Zealand holiday to return to the NT and give a press conference outlining the reasons why he sacked Mr Vowles and eject Labor backbenchers Mr Collins and Mr McConnell from caucus. He claimed he was left with no choice but to sack three ministers after they broke caucus values and deliberately tried to undermine him that week.
■ DECEMBER 29, 2018
Gunner warned to watch his back
Sacked NT Resources Minister Mr Vowles said Mr Gunner’s hold on the Labor leadership will remain shaky because the people who really want his job are still in his ministry.
“He will have to watch his back,” Mr Vowles said. “It is the ones who have been complaining to me about him and are still there he needs to worry about.”
■ JANUARY 29, 2019
Kirby announced as replacement
Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby was selected as the new cabinet minister to replace Mr Vowles in the Gunner Government.
The reformed anti-fracker took over Mr Vowles’ role as Minister for Primary Industry and Resources. Education Minister Selena Uibo also took over his role as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
■ FEBRUARY 8, 2019
Exiled Jeff Collins quits Labor to sit as independent
Sacked Labor backbencher Mr Collins quits the Labor Party and announced he would sit as an independent.
The Member for Fong Lim, said the restrictions placed on him by Mr Gunner and the parliamentary Labor Party were “simply unacceptable”.
He had been barred from government sections of Parliament House and was booted off two parliamentary committees.
■ FEBRUARY 13, 2019
Vowles still loyal to Labor
Mr Vowles softens his stance against the Government over his expulsion from caucus in the hopes of a return into the fold.
But he still refused to offer his support to the Chief Minister.
Mr Vowles said he was confident of winning Labor preselection in his seat of Johnston ahead of the 2020 election, with or without the support of the party’s caucus and its leader Mr Gunner.
■ FEBRUARY 18, 2019
Exiled member Scott McConnell resigns from Labor
Member for Stuart Mr McConnell resigns from the Labor Party after being sacked from the Labor caucus in December alongside Mr Vowles and backbencher Mr Collins.
■ MARCH 20, 2019
Chief Minister’s hold on leadership in deep crisis
Leaked messages plunged the Gunner Government and Chief Minister Mr Gunner’s hold on the leadership into another deep crisis.
The messages exchanged between Labor backbenchers Sandra Nelson and Chansey Paech included claims of being lied to in caucus, questioned the Chief Minister’s leadership and that “we’re f***ked” and fears of “going down with the ship”.
■ JULY 10, 2019
Labor pollies speak out in support of Ken Vowles
Labor backbenchers broke ranks to speak publicly in support of their ousted colleague Mr Vowles.
Ms Nelson and Mr Paech backed Mr Vowles, who was banished from caucus and sacked from his ministerial roles last December.
But Chief Minister Mr Gunner said Mr Vowles still needed to make “reparations” for his wrongdoings before he can be welcomed back.
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■ MAY 16, 2019
Former Labor leader ‘behind plot’ to oust Chief Minster Michael Gunner
Former Labor leader Delia Lawrie was behind a plot to oust Chief Minster Mr Gunner and have him replaced by Eva Lawler, leaked text messages reveal.
Ms Lawrie sent messages to Labor supporters urging them to call for Mr Gunner’s resignation and push Ms Lawler as a potential replacement.
“Get people believing that Eva Lawler is the most experienced and qualified,” she said. “Many (Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison) has too many lil bubs to care for, Natasha (Fyles) is too nasty …. Eva may be the Switzerland that unites.”
■ APRIL 16, 2019
$12 billion budget rescue plan revealed
Treasurer Nicole Manison revealed John Langoulant’s long-awaited review of the NT’s fiscal situation and her government’s response to it which is an attempt to save $11.2 billion across the next decade. The top government savings to be made included reducing executive positions by 10 per cent and freeze pay increases for politicians and public service executives.
■ AUGUST 19, 2019
Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s chief-of-staff sacked
Chief Minister Mr Gunner sacked his chief-of-staff Alf Leonardi following a scathing internal review of his office.
Mr Leonardi and deputy chief-of-staff Kieran Phillips will both leave the Chief Minister’s fifth-floor office in a major pre-election shake-up. The purge ended a tumultuous three years for Mr Leonardi as Mr Gunner’s top adviser.
Elderly woman successfully fends off handbag thief
A 76-year-old woman has fought off a teen who tried to steal her handbag outside a shopping centre.
Barkly grog fiend knocks partner out then kicks her flush in the face
A Tennant Creek man who assaulted his partner twice, the second time knocking her out cold on a public street then sinking his foot into her face, has avoided jail after counsellors found he was mending his ways.