Chief Minister’s office told of scandal info on Feb 2, admit disgraced Blain MLA was given ‘advice’ to handle issue

Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s office has confirmed senior staff were made aware — 18 days ago — about information that would later lead to the political downfall of Blain MLA Mark Turner and the resignation of a staffer.

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner’s office has confirmed senior staff were made aware — 18 days ago — about information that would later lead to the political downfall of Blain MLA Mark Turner and the resignation of a staffer.

It comes as new text messages revealed Mr Turner was seemingly being “advised” about how to navigate the sex scandal that would ultimately result in the MLA being kicked out of caucus.

The NT News can reveal Mr Turner was informed by his lover on February 2 that information potentially incriminating to fifth floor staffers and embarrassing to the first-term MLA could imminently be made public.

MORE:

Michael Gunner goes into self-isolation after becoming unwell during Bombing of Darwin ceremony

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley calls on Chief Minister Michael Gunner to step down immediately

Labor MLA Mark Turner’s cocaine indifference unmasked in new texts

Mr Mark Turner. Photograph: Che Chorley

In reply, Mr Turner told the woman he would get “advice” and later said the advice was not to say anything.

A spokesman for the Chief Minister, only after questions from the NT News, confirmed senior staff were made aware of the “gossip” by a “concerned party member” on February 2.

“A senior staff member followed up the allegations and they were strongly denied,” he told the NT News.

“We have never been given any evidence to the contrary.”

It was also confirmed that Mr Turner had been given advice at a level “any member of our team with an issue or media inquiry” would.

But the spokesman said “at no stage” did any staffer see the text messages that have since come to light or “provide advice to the member for Blain on their apparent content”. It remains unknown when the Chief Minister was made aware of the situation.

In another set of text messages, which were framed as Mr Turner attempting to coax the woman to make a false statement on Wednesday, she asked if he needed it done before parliament question time.

Hon Michael Gunner on the first sitting day of parliament in 2021. Photograph: Che Chorley

“Maybe I’ll check,” Mr Turner wrote back. It is unclear with whom he checked.

The woman is adamant Mr Turner never forced her to say anything and that he had been told by government staffers “exactly what to do” since he was made aware the information could be made public.

A spokesman for the Chief Minister said government staffers had provided no advice to Mr Turner in relation to the contents of that set of text messages, saying it was on Thursday, when the text messages were published, that they learnt “he continued to act dishonestly without our knowledge”.

CLP’s Steve Edgington, during parliamentary question time on Thursday, confronted Mr Gunner about allegations “Labor Party operatives” had tried to coerce the woman to make a false statement and asked the chief minister to confirm it was not “an attempt to pervert the course of justice”.

“I confirm that no one in my team, in any way shape or form has attempted to pervert the course of justice,” Mr Gunner said.

Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro. Picture Glenn Campbell

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said she was “extremely concerned” that each development in the scandal raised more questions than answers.

“The Chief Minister is firmly implicated in this cover up, although the full extent of his role remains unclear and a full investigation should be launched immediately,” she said.

Ms Finocchiaro said she was “standing firm” on her view Mr Gunner was no longer fit to hold office and that Mr Turner should resign from parliament.