Gunner bats away calls for Primary Industries and Resources portfolio to go to senior minister

THE Chief Minister has batted away calls to elevate the portfolio of Primary Industries and Resources to a senior cabinet position when he announces his new line-up this week.

THE Chief Minister has batted away calls to elevate the portfolio of Primary Industries and Resources to a senior cabinet position when he announces his new line-up this week.

The call was made in Wednesday’s NT News by NT Farmers Association president Simon Smith.

Mr Smith said it was clear that agriculture and resources would help underpin and drive the post-COVID-19 economic recovery in the Northern Territory.

“Given the important role that the portfolio of Primary Industries and Resources will play in driving the economic recovery of the Territory, we urge the Chief Minister to elevate the portfolio to a senior cabinet position,” he said.

“Having a senior minister in charge of the portfolio will help fast-track the strategic policy that is needed to enable the industry to expand and grow the Territory economy.”

However, a spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner said every Cabinet position was a senior position and every role was important.

“Once the counting is done, caucus will be able to meet to determine the next Cabinet,” the spokesman said.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Che Chorley

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Caucus is due to meet in Darwin next Tuesday.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Gunner must put a higher value on the two industry sectors.

“Primary Industries and Resources is a critical portfolio for the economic growth of the Territory,” the Opposition leader said.

“The Gunner government needs to place a higher value on this area.”

Ms Finocchiaro said the Police Minister’s responsibility should be taken from Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison.

Former Labor Primary Industries and Resources Minister Ken Vowles made a similar call and lost his job.

“Police is another critical portfolio … it should be held by the Chief Minister so that community safety is a top priority of the government,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

She pledged to hold the Gunner government to account on a range of issues and said she would sit down and work with the new members of the CLP Opposition to distribute Shadow portfolios once the official election results were declared.

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The NT Farmers Association said hard work was now required for the NT to lead the post COVID-19 economic recovery.