Former CLP president Jason Newman guilty of assault on wife

Former Country Liberals Party president Jason Newman pleaded guilty in court this month to aggravated assault against his wife, a former Australian Mother of the Year winner

Generic image of a judge hitting a gavel. In a courtroom . Credit : Thinkstock

Former Country Liberals Party president Jason Newman pleaded guilty in Tennant Creek Magistrates Court this month to aggravated assault against his wife, a former Australian Mother of the Year winner.

Mr Newman, 33, quit as CLP president in May 2015 after six months, citing “the tyranny of distance” and wanting more time with his family.

The assault occurred on August 22, 2015. Mr Newman also pleaded guilty to breaching a domestic-violence order on September 2. Details of the assault were not available.

His wife, Rebecca Healey, was 2011 Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year, the youngest recipient ever at 25. She ran for the Barkly seat for the CLP in the 2012 election.

Mr Newman received a good-behaviour bond, secured with $2000, and was fined a total $700. Magistrate David Bamber did not record convictions for the offences.

Sources have indicated Mr Newman presented numerous character-reference letters.

Mr Newman said last May: “The (presidency) decision was just a refocus of my life. I’ve enjoyed the role but it has taken up a lot of time.”

The NT News understands he still plans to move from Tennant Creek to Mount Gambier, South Australia.

He previously owned the Eldorado Motor Inn in Tennant Creek and also served on the NT Business Advisory Council, Tennant Creek Regional Economic Committee, Local Tourism Authority and Barkly Regional Council Local Authority. ​