NT Chief Minister blasted for no apology to electorate after by-election backlash

MICHAEL Gunner’s Country Liberal Party opponent in the seat of Fannie Bay, Tracey Hayes, says the Chief Minister has failed as a leader by not offering any form of apology to the people of Johnston in the wake of a massive voter by-election backlash.

CLP candidate for Fannie Bay, Tracey Hayes, has criticised Michael Gunner

MICHAEL Gunner’s Country Liberal Party opponent in the seat of Fannie Bay, Tracey Hayes, says the Chief Minister has failed as a leader by not offering any form of apology to the people of Johnston in the wake of a massive voter by-election backlash.

The accusation came just hours after the CLP met to discuss its by-election failure after its primary vote count was down 15 per cent compared with the 2016 Territory election in that seat.

Ms Hayes joined a chorus of others from all sides of politics, who have blasted the Chief Minister for not acknowledging the backlash the Government received in what was a Labor stronghold.

“The Labor Party’s primary vote collapsed from 51 per cent to 30 per cent and rather than apologise and recognise the voter anger, he says Territory voters gave him a tick,” Ms Hayes said. “The Chief Minister just shows more and more how out of touch with the electorate he is.

“He has shown no respect for the people of Johnston and ignored all the problems that exist. It wasn’t good for us and we admit that but Chief Minister Michael Gunner has made no acknowledgment that people were angry with his leadership and his government.

“There is an awful lot of denial going on in the words he spoke last night.

“Mr Gunner, as Chief Minister, showed complete disregard for the voters of Johnston and has failed to hear the message from the electorate.”

CLP president Ron Kelly echoed Ms Hayes’ sentiments.

“We have acknowledged the message to us from the Johnston by-election and will be working to earn the respect of the voters of Johnston, but the Chief Minister’s response has been breathtaking,” Mr Kelly said. “We met first thing Sunday morning to analyse what happened and will have further discussions about what we need to do.

“Look, if you stuff things up you need to fess up, fix up and move forward. He hasn’t acknowledge they’ve stuffed things up, nor apologised for it and clearly has no intention to fix it up. Voters want a hell of a lot more than the rhetoric the Chief Minister has offered.

“It is obvious Labor is in quite a deal of trouble also, but there is no admission of this.

“The level of capacity and incompetence of the current Labor Government is that it doesn’t matter what happens, it attempts to treat people like fools and pretend things are OK.”