Chief behaviour an ‘an unforgivable breach of Parliamentary standards’: Opposition Leader

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has “failed fundamentally” in his role as leader for not addressing the sex scandal plaguing the Labor Party, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has said

Chief Minister Michael Gunner was criticised by Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro for his behaviour towards a major sex scandal. Picture: Che Chorley

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has “failed fundamentally” in his role as leader for not addressing the sex scandal plaguing a sitting MLA and a parliamentary staffer, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has said.

Ms Finocchiaro, speaking outside parliament, said Mr Gunner has an obligation to Territorians to investigate the matter and clear the air and to “clear the dark cloud that is hanging over his government”.

She said Mr Gunner should resign if he does not address the issue.

Ms Finocchiaro also said Mr Gunner had set his “own standard” when it comes to the conduct of MLAs in the past, referring to Mr Gunner’s reaction to the 2016 Nathan Barrett affair.

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Mr Gunner in 2016 said Mr Barrett, the CLP MLA for Blain, had “fundamentally breached community standards” and that his behaviour was “an unforgivable breach of Parliamentary standards”.

Mr Barrett, who was also a Minister at the time, resigned from the CLP and did not recontest his seat after it emerged he sent videos of himself engaged in a sex act to a woman.

He maintained that his relationship with the woman was consensual.

A screen shot from Michael Gunner’s Facebook page about the Nathan Barrett sex scandal saga in 2016

“The Chief Minister set a standard that MLAs involved in scandalous conduct should step down,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“It’s now a question for the chief minister on whether or not he’s going to hold that same standard to his members”.

Mr Gunner, during question time, again refused to address the allegations, labelling the situation “internet gossip” despite the woman at the centre of scandal speaking on two radio programs this morning.

He said Ms Finocchiaro had “failed” to back up claims that “serious criminal allegations” were at play.

“Allegations without evidence is gossip,” Mr Gunner said.

Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“There is absolutely no reason why I will follow them (the CLIP) into the gutter.

“If the leader of the opposition has any evidence for the allegation that she has made of serious criminal activity, don’t call a press conference call the police, that’s where this rests.”

Ms Finocchiaro, weaponising news that Ministers had told the NT News that the sitting MLA’s position in parliament was untenable, also said that there was a “dark cloud hanging over the heads of every male (Labor) MLA”.

It comes as the woman at the centre of an alleged cocaine sex scandal within Territory Labor Party ranks has spoken publicly for the first time — and confirmed a sitting MLA is involved.

In an interview on ABC Darwin this morning, the woman, who was not named, denied that any member of the party had done anything illegal, saying there was “no evidence” to show that.

The woman confirmed she had been involved in a relationship with the MLA, describing him as a “sweet man”.

However, she did confirm police had investigated the claims since reports of the scandal had emerged.

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Police have so far chosen not to comment on the scandal despite the woman confirming they are investigating the claims.

The NT’s anti-corruption watchdog has declined to say if they are, or are not, investigating the situation.

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