Former MLA Terry Mills rules out a run in Blain if scandal triggers by-election

THE only Blain MLA in the past 22 years to not be publicly caught out in a sex scandal says he will not run for the seat again if there is a by-election.

THE only Blain MLA in the past 22 years to not be publicly caught out in a sex scandal says he will not run for the seat again if there is a by-election.

Former chief minister and ex-Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills said it was an emphatic “no” on running for the seat he lost at the recent election.

It comes as sitting Blain MLA Mark Turner was expelled from Labor caucus after Chief Minister Michael Gunner and his team agreed the MLA had not been “completely forthcoming” about the extramarital affair.

Terry Mills. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

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Mr Turner now sits outside government, though he still holds Labor Party membership. The NT News asked Mr Turner if he planned to sit on the crossbench or resign from parliament altogether, a move that would spark a by-election, but he did not respond.

Mr Mills took the seat of Blain in 1999 before resigning in 2014, sparking a by-election that resulted in the election of Nathan Barrett.

Mr Barrett was expelled from the CLP over a sex scandal in 2016 and did not recontest the election, in which Mr Mills again picked up the seat, only to lose it in 2020.

The expulsion of Mr Turner from Labor caucus also led to the promotion of Johnston MLA Joel Bowden.

Deputy Speaker Joel Bowden. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

Mr Bowden, following a vote which went his favour 13-8, was elected as the new Deputy Speaker of NT parliament.

He said it would be a “privilege” to hold the position.

Mr Bowden, prior to the promotion, had been the Acting Deputy Speaker.

Mr Turner did not sit in the Speaker’s chair at all this week.

“Having been elected to the leadership group of the Richmond Football Club when I was only 21, I clearly have some experience in leadership,” Mr Bowden joked.

The NT parliament will sit again next week.