NT Health Minister Steve Edgington wants answers over Labor’s dirty toilet politics

Northern Territory Health Minister Steve Edgington says Opposition Leader Selena Uibo has more questions to answer after a rainbow toilet poster scandal.

Health Minister Steve Edgington says he is yet to receive an apology from Opposition Leader Selena Uibo over the Pride flag protest in the parliament men’s toilets by her staffer, Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Health Minister Steve Edgington said he is yet to receive an apology from the staffer in Labor Opposition Leader Selena Uibo’s office responsible for the “dirty toilet politics” scandal inside Parliament House.

Mr Edgington has also questioned whether any other staffers from Ms Uibo’s office were involved in the planning and execution of the toilet political protest.

Mr Edgington said he is hoping the Labor leader was not being disingenuous with her statement that her staffer, who was caught trying to get away with a covert political protest in the 5th floor men’s toilets of parliament, had apologised.

“In her statement on Friday, Selena Uibo said the staffer has apologised. My question is to who?,” Mr Edgington asked.

“It certainly wasn’t me.”

Ms Uibo’s staffer was rumbled in the parliament house men’s toilets plastering a poster on the wall of NT Health Minister Steve Edgington, superimposed over a rainbow flag, on the men’s toilet wall.

This poster was allegedly put on the wall of the 5th floor men's toilets in the NT Parliament House by a staffer from Opposition Leader Selena's office.

A spokesperson for Ms Uibo said the staff member had apologised to the Leader of the Opposition as his employer for his actions.

“The Leader of the Opposition has contacted the Health Minister to inform him of what steps she has taken to address the matter and assure him that it has been taken seriously.”

It is understood Ms Uibo did not apologise to Mr Edgington outright when she contacted him on Saturday afternoon.

It follows Minister Edgington’s decision that displaying the rainbow coloured Pride flag alongside the Australian and Territory flags in government buildings was a breach of official protocol.

He also initially ordered the removal of the Torres Strait Islander flag - which has since been returned.

Ms Uibo’s staffer has copped a one week suspension from the Speaker of the NT parliament Robyn Lambley, for their improper behaviour.

“This incident yet again shows Labor has learnt nothing under the leadership of Selena Uibo,” Mr Edgington said.

“We now know Labor will literally take their dirty politics inside the toilets of Parliament House.”

Mr Edgington was surprised Ms Uibo had not directed the staff member to apologise to him.

“Was the staffer instructed to make the poster and take it to the men’s toilets, and by whom?” he said.

“When she was in government, Selena Uibo was known to sweep poor behaviour under the carpet.

“In 2021, the now Member for Daly, Dheran Young, was a ministerial staffer in her office when he inappropriately verbally abused the Member for Braitling outside Parliament House.

“At the time, Ms Uibo said ‘Mr Young’s conduct was out of character and in no way reflects my values, the values of our Labor government, or my ministerial office or indeed their own family values.

“Now Ms Uibo and Labor are again handing out slaps on the wrist to their own staff, rather than sacking them, which would send the right message to the community.

“Her previous history, this incident, and yet another weak response, shows Selena Uibo is unfit to be leader.”

Ms Uibo has been sought for comment.