Labor rank-and-file ‘angry’ over Gunner’s handling of Darwin Turf Club grandstand saga

Labor Party figures have expressed concern about the damage being done to the party over Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s handling of the Darwin Turf Club $12m grandstand grant and the ongoing turmoil around it.

Labor Party figures have expressed concern about the damage being done to the party over the Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s handling of the Darwin Turf Club $12m grandstand grant and the ongoing turmoil around it. Picture: Che Chorley

• Chief Minister Michael Gunner refuses to say whether Treasury advice was given to cabinet for Turf Club submission
• Ministers missing-in-action as pressure grows on Chief
• Gunner brought Turf Club documents into cabinet: Minister

LABOR Party figures have expressed concern about the damage being done to the party over Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s handling of the Darwin Turf Club $12m grandstand grant and the ongoing turmoil around it.

It comes as the Chief Minister’s office refuses to say whether the Turf Club submission that Mr Gunner walked in to cabinet himself had any Treasury analysis, which is attached to all major expenditure.

Party figures have said they fear public trust is being eroded with the way the saga is being played out.

“It’s just not going away and every day there seems to be some new revelation about how the Chief Minister has either handled it or been involved,” one longtime member said.

“It is causing a lot of disquiet within the rank and file and we are very angry with what’s gone on.

“You only have to see how the public is reacting to know what damage is being done.

“The only people happy with the way Michael has handled this is the CLP.”

MORE POLITICS NEWS

Palmerston, Alice Springs councils not consulted over Cracker Night’s new date

Morrison Government gives $30m for $60m fuel storage facility in Darwin

Arafura Games cancelled amid Covid-19 ‘uncertainty’

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and her team have made the ICAC findings into the government’s awarding of a $12m grant to the Darwin Turf Club an almost daily press call event, referring to it as the government’s “dodgy grandstand deal”.

A senior Labor Party member said he had no doubt Mr Gunner would remain Chief Minister, but feared those with ambition within the caucus could use it to destabilise him.

“I think the Chief Minister has been a victim of bad advice and perhaps some bad judgment, but you have to remember his team backed him in cabinet,” the member said.

“The problem is, when things drag on like this, a lot of people get upset and nervous … the party faithful.

“Others use it to their advantage if they have a reason to.

“It’s not so much the enemy on the outside you have to worry about, it’s more the enemy within.”

The Chief Minister’s office on Friday refused to answer questions from the NT News as to whether ministers had received Treasury advice when Mr Gunner walked the Turf Club submission into cabinet.

The controversial $12m grandstand at the Darwin Turf Club. Picture: Che Chorley

Treasury advice is usually attached in a background briefing paper on any proposals taken into cabinet, and especially with submissions costing the taxpayer millions.

A press secretary for Mr Gunner’s office claimed that question had already been answered, despite having not been.

The press secretary said Mr Gunner still had the support of his caucus colleagues despite a tumultuous week with two ministers speaking out about the Turf Club and the date selected for Territory Day.

Mr Gunner has repeatedly said the submission made to cabinet had included incorrect information, which cabinet ministers had unknowingly approved.

He said cabinet would’ve voted differently, had a truthful submission been provided.

The NT News has also made contact with Mr Gunner’s former chief of staff Alf Leonardi, who declined to talk about the grandstand saga.