NT Labor Party cancels annual conference ahead of 2024 general election
The NT Labor Party has cancelled its annual conference, with one member saying they ‘need to focus’ on winning the next election.
Northern Territory
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The Northern Territory Labor Party has cancelled its annual conference 10 months out from the 2024 election.
A Labor Party source said members were recently told the conference would not be held until after the general election in August.
Instead, policy forums are expected to be held with party members in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs early next year.
Unlike the annual conference, those forums do not provide an opportunity for binding motions to be raised that could amend the government’s policy platform.
At last year’s annual conference several anti-fracking submissions were passed without opposition, putting the party rank and file at odds with the Fyles government.
Earlier this year Chief Minister Natasha Fyles also faced a motion calling for her removal from the party’s left faction, which was later withdrawn, according to the ABC.
Drysdale MLA and Treasurer Eva Lawler denied suggestions the move was a tactic to avoid further scrutiny of the cabinet.
“Not at all. It is an opportunity really to focus on what we need to do which is win the election in 2024,” she said.
Responding to questions about longstanding grassroots party opposition to the government’s gas expansion plans, Ms Lawler said the rank and file’s numbers “vary depending on who gets a vote in those meetings”.
“We know we’ve done the Pepper Inquiry, we’ve worked through those recommendations, we need to have an onshore oil and gas industry if we want to see the Territory continue to grow,” she said.
Ms Lawler said the annual conferences were usually cancelled a year out from an election.
However annual conferences were held in both 2015 and 2019, ahead of the last two general elections.
The NT News understands the events were not held during 2016 and 2020, two successful election years for the party.
CLP’s Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne said Ms Fyles did “not want to face the music”.
“The Chief Minister doesn’t even want to face her own Labor colleagues, let alone Territorians. It beggars belief,” he said.
Responding to criticisms in parliament on Thursday, Ms Fyles drew attention to Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro facing her own motion of no-confidence as party leader in June.
“May I suggest, Leader of the Opposition, rather than quizzing us about our democratic Labor party you focus on your own internal woes,” she said.
“Perhaps you could guide your questions in question time around issues that are important to Territorians.”
Party president Anthony Venes has been contacted for comment.
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