Gary Higgins steps down as Leader of Country Liberal Party

GARY Higgins has stepped down as the Leader of the Country Liberal Party

Gary Higgins will step down as Opposition Leader. Picture Che Chorley.

• ANALYSIS: It’s now all on Lia’s shoulders
• CHANGE of leader may be just what CLP needs: Matt Cunningham
• CLP gifts election opponents a big head-start
• Tollner cracks it at visionless CLP

GARY Higgins has stepped down as the Leader of the Country Liberal Party and will not contest the August election.

Mr Higgins made the announcement at a press conference in his parliament office on Monday morning. He said his resignation was for “health reasons”.

He took extended leave late last year while recovering from surgery.

The Member for Daly, 65, entered parliament in 2012 and has served as Opposition Leader since the CLP was wiped out at the 2016 election.

MILLS open to CLP deal on election preferences

TRACEY Hayes takes on Gunner in Fannie Bay for CLP

Mr Higgins said he would serve the rest of the term under his deputy Lia Finocchiaro after his official resignation on February 1 — a day after excommunicated Labor member Ken Vowles’ resignation is made official.

Today I announced my resignation as Opposition Leader of the Northern Territory. This is a personal and family decision...

Posted by Gary Higgins on Sunday, 19 January 2020

“This is a personal and family decision which I have wrestled with but which I believe is the right decision. I have given much thought to the matter over the Christmas period and had many discussions with my family,” Mr Higgins said.

NT NEWS subscription deal – half price* for the first three months

“My reasons for resigning the role are personal, suffice to say I have had a number of health issues recently which need attending and I cannot effectively serve as Opposition Leader while addressing those issues.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Mr Higgins previously said he intended to fight on after 2020. 

However he only secured preselection in Daly through intervention by the CLP’s central registry after the party’s Litchfield branch refused to endorse him. 

At the time, sources told the NT News such intervention was “unprecedented”. 

Mr Higgins’ departure is a win for his long time political frenemy David Tollner.

The former treasurer has announced his intention to stand for the party in his old seat of Fong Lim, a move that has been vociferously opposed by Mr Higgins.

“Some people might see my departure as an opportunity … but I know Lia will continue to push to people in the party that we have to rebuild and get fresh people,” Mr Higgins said.

“I think Dave’s actions were just troublemaking.

“He didn’t get preselected at the last election so I can’t see the tide turning at the next election.”