Michael Gunner’s brother-in-law Ryan Neve steps down as his deputy chief of staff

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner’s brother-in-law Ryan Neve will soon be departing as his Deputy Chief of Staff

Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s brother-in-law Ryan Neve is departing as his deputy chief of staff one year after being appointed.

• NT debt jumps by another $60m after public servants quietly receive pay rise
• Michael Gunner appoints brother-in-law Ryan Neve as his deputy chief of staff

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner’s brother-in-law Ryan Neve will soon be departing as his Deputy Chief of Staff as part of a raft of changes on Territory Parliament’s fifth floor after the recent election.

A year after being appointed, Ryan Neve will be stepping down from his position and be replaced by retired Housing Minister Gerry McCarthy’s former chief of staff Chris Grace by the end of the year.

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Mr Neve is married to Mr Gunner’s sister, Rebecca.

Former Territory Labor Party secretary Kent Rowe has also been newly appointed as Director of Parliament, Caucus Liaison and Stakeholder Engagement.

It comes as many of fifth floor ministerial staffers reach the end of their contracts and undergo a recruiting process for the new contract period.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. His sister Rebecca is married to Mr Gunner’s departing deputy chief of staff, Ryan Neve. Picture: Che Chorley

Kay Densley from the Community and Public Sector Union said there was “discontent” about how long the selection processes was taking.

However Mr Gunner said the process was standard protocol after the swearing in of a new government.

“Following the election of the government and a new Ministry being sworn in, a standard staff recruitment process is now underway,” he said.

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“This is about making sure the Government can do the best possible job for Territorians.”

Territory public servants quietly received a 2.5 per cent pay increase this year.

The wage bill for the NT’s public servants is about $2.7 billion with a super bill of around $400 million on top of that.

It comes after Mr Gunner dumped his long time chief of staff Alf Leonardi last year.

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