Ex-Labor caucus members critical of grandstand announcement

Former Labor MLA Scott McConnell has said Resources Minister Paul Kirby “drew the short straw” and “got bossed” into making the Darwin Turf Club grandstand announcement while ex-minister Ken Vowles says the Chief Minister should have announced it himself

Even though it was in his portfolio, Chief Minister Michael Gunner declined to announce the $12 million funding for the Darwin Turf Club grandstand, leaving it to Resources Minister Paul Kirby. Picture: Justin Kennedy

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Former Labor MLA Scott McConnell has said Resources Minister Paul Kirby “drew the short straw” and “got bossed” into making the Darwin Turf Club grandstand announcement while ex-minister Ken Vowles says the Chief Minister should have announced it himself.

His remarks came after a Freedom of Information request by the ABC reporter Jano Gibson found the government had struggled to find a minister willing to announce the controversial $12 million grandstand.

Sports Minister Lauren Moss declined the announcement, citing tiredness from her pregnancy, while Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler also declined. Her media adviser Ellie Clancy raised concern with her minister’s name being solely attributed to the announcement.

Exiled Labor MLA Scott McConnell said declicately refered to the grandstand funding as “s**t sandwhich”. Picture: Justin Kennedy

The press release finally came out with Resources Minister Paul Kirby’s name on it the day after Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Mr Kirby made the announcement at the Darwin Cup Carnival. Later in parliament Mr Kirby denied he’d made the announcement at the event, saying he had just been a guest.

Mr Gunner said because community cabinet was being held in Alice Springs, ministers were not available.

The grant was overseen by the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, one of the Chief Minister’s portfolios.

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Mr McConnell said he was surprised ministers didn’t want to be associated with the announcement.

“Everyone knew that was a s**t sandwich and they didn’t want to go near it because it was so shocking,” he said.

“(Paul) Kirby was the newest member of Cabinet so he drew the short straw and got bossed around to do it.

“But that new email chain, on top of Alf drafting things, that’s how they do business all the time.

“The government’s controlled by public servants on the fifth floor. Elected members mean nothing.”

Former Labor minister Ken Vowles said he thought all the ministers involved offered up some “pretty weak” excuses to get out of making the announcement.

“Clearly everyone in Cabinet knew it was a bad look and didn’t want a bar of it,” he said.

“The excuses are pretty weak.

“Gunner was in Alice Springs, which is still in the Territory not on the moon!

“It was Gunner’s endorsed project after all. He should have announced it.

“But lucky for him Kirby isn’t burdened by political instincts.”

Mr McConnell was kicked out of caucus along with Jeff Collins while Ken Vowles was booted from Cabinet in December 2018, after the trio criticised budget management and leadership.