NT News Editorial: Gunner takes economic bull by the horns in taking on Treasurer role

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has taken the economic bull by the horns by making himself our new Treasurer.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has also taken on the role of Treasurer. Picture: Glenn Campbell

• NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner unveils his new Cabinet, takes over Treasurer role from Manison

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has taken the economic bull by the horns by making himself our new Treasurer.

Government spin aside, the move is without question a signal that he believes the treasury portfolio could have been better-handled under Nicole Manison.

It is also an acknowledgment that Mr Gunner, as our leader, needs to be at the centre of our most important challenge — rebuilding our battered economy.

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As we stated in our pre-election editorial, the economy has been a trainwreck under Mr Gunner and Ms Manison’s leadership, but it is now solely on Mr Gunner’s shoulders to deliver the goods.

If the economy continues to go pear-shaped, Territorians will be zeroing in on him more than they have done in the past four years.

Ms Manison continues to hold the important police portfolio and picks up the crucial mining and industry ministry.

One of the big surprises was Natasha Fyles losing Attorney-General to Selena Uibo, however, Ms Fyles picking up tourism and hospitality is a coup for those industries.

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New ministers Kate Worden and Chansey Paech deserve congratulations for their new ministries but their backbench holiday is now over and they will be made to earn every cent of their big new wage.

Joel Bowden was somewhat surprisingly left out. We wonder how vocal he will be allowed to be from the backbench.