Chief, Sports Minister and more explain mass Darwin Cup Day no-show

GOVERNMENT ministers traditionally attend the NT’s biggest racing event of the year, but not one was trackside this year. Here’s their reasons why.

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LABOR ministers doorknocked, helped out in their electorates and spent time with family instead of attending the Darwin Cup on Monday, the NT News has been told.

At least some government ministers traditionally attend the NT’s biggest racing event of the year, but not one was trackside this year.

It comes after Chief Minister Michael Gunner missed the Chief Minister’s Cup race day on July 11, despite the Darwin Turf Club being located in his electorate of Fannie Bay.

He also missed the launch of the club’s new $12m taxpayer-funded grandstand the week before that due to a trip to Alice Springs.

Jockey Peter Hall rode Ihtsahymn to victory in the Darwin Cup on Monday – but no Labor ministers were in attendance to watch. Picture: Che Chorley

Asked why he hadn’t attended the Darwin Cup, Mr Gunner said he had been visiting Tennant Creek and Mungkarta on the day.

Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer Nicole Manison said she had spent the day attending the 21st memorial for Glen Huitson, doorknocking and speaking to constituents in her Wanguri electorate.

Casuarina MLA Lauren Moss visited the Territory Wildlife Park with her family.

Attorney-General Natasha Fyles, whose portfolio covers racing, said she had taken the opportunity to spend time with her young family, while Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said she was in her electorate of Drysdale, though a spokeswoman for the minister declined to provide further details.

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Primary Industry and Resources Minister Paul Kirby said he had spent the day delivering food packages to elderly residents in his electorate of Port Darwin and “generally checking on their wellbeing”.

Ministers Gerry McCarthy, Dale Wakefield and Selena Uibo were in their electorates in Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Katherine respectively.

Speaking on Mix 104.9FM yesterday, Ms Fyles denied there had been a directive from the Chief Minister’s office that ministers not attend the event.

Darwin Turf Club chief executive Brad Morgan said he believed there had always been ministerial attendance at the Cup in the past and all ministers had been invited to this year’s event.

But he said the club was “understanding” of the situation.

“I think with the election being on the date that it is, it precludes a lot of them from attending,” he said.

“It was still a great day and it didn’t deter from the day from a patrons’ perspective.”

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CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills both attended the gala ball on Saturday night and Cup Day on Monday.

The Darwin Turf Club grandstand was drawn into controversy when the construction tender was awarded to Jaytex Constructions Pty Ltd, a company part-owned by Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon.

However, punters’ reactions to the grandstand on Darwin Cup Day were extremely positive.