Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley to remain in Territory Alliance, for now, as party lets dust settle before planning future

Territory Alliance’s only remaining MLA, Araluen’s Robyn Lambley, has revealed her future as part of the party following a meeting with members.

TERRITORY Alliance’s only remaining MLA will stay on with the party for now, although Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley has indicated she will “take the time” to figure out what is next for her and hasn’t ruled out defecting.

Ms Lambley’s decision comes after a party meeting in Darwin on Thursday evening where Territory Alliance opted to let the dust settle for the next few months following the bruising election result.

RELATED NEWS:

Territory Alliance to formally review disastrous 2020 election campaign following debrief

Long-term Blain MLA Terry Mills last NT politician to receive parliamentary pension

In a message to its 600-strong membership, seen by the NT News, Territory Alliance noted it would be contesting seats at the 2024 election and would continue to back and support Ms Lambley in her work.

Ms Lambley automatically becomes the party’s parliamentary leader and the seasoned politician confirmed she will stay on, as Territory Alliance members, including herself, assess the damage and “work on decisions for the future”.

Robyn Lambley Member for Araluen

“My priority will always be Alice Springs no matter what party I stand with, be it Territory Alliance or otherwise,” she said.

It’s understood the marriage between the wider party and Ms Lambley remains fragile and both are taking time to see if the relationship will work.

Since the election Territory Alliance members have moved to amend the party’s constitution to a more formal structure with a president and vice president, with insiders saying this was to prevent MLAs running “rogue” with party messaging.

Territory Alliance, once considered heavy competition for the CLP, lost two MLAs at the recent election as its primary vote crashed across the NT.

LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

Ms Lambley managed to hold on to her Alice Springs seat via preferences and said not winning the popular vote for the first time in her political career was “a bit of a knock”.

CLP’s candidate and returning Alice Springs mayor Damien Ryan was a strong challenger, Ms Lambley said, and was a major factor in the crash of her vote.

But she said in hindsight, joining the NT’s newest political party without having the time to fully explain what it was about was also a factor.