NT parliament: Brent Potter apologises for social media posts
The Police Minister repeated his ‘unreserved apology’ for derogatory posts ‘shared in jest, ignorance or just plain stupidity’. See the latest from NT parliament with our rolling coverage.
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Brent Potter has apologised in parliament for his offensive social media posts, telling colleagues he was “truly sorry” for sharing racist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and homophobic content.
As the second sittings of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for this year got underway on Tuesday, the Police Minister sought leave to make a personal explanation about his posts “shared in jest, ignorance or just plain stupidity”.
Mr Potter said he unreservedly took responsibility for his actions and did not blame any other group or person for what he had done – a shift from his apology last week which angered veterans by pointing to his time in the Army as contributing to his “narrow” world view.
“What I will not do is to allow those mistakes to define who I am,” he said.
The CLP has reiterated calls for Mr Potter to stand down from his police portfolio over the scandal.
Textbook cross-chamber combat started just minutes after sittings began, with the government’s first point of business to suspend regular standing orders.
The move allowed three Bills to be discussed this sitting period, 27 and 28 days after they were introduced, rather than the usual 30 day notice requirement.
Independent Robyn Lambley and Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro called it “unbelievable”, labelling the government “incompetent” and “disorganised” for being forced to flaunt the schedule it controls.
Leader of Government Business Chansey Paech said the truncated timetable was due to a “family friendly” government accommodating school holidays, taking a swipe at Ms Finocchiaro’s personal leave.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will land in Katherine on Tuesday morning.
At the nearby community of Binjari, Mr Albanese is set to officially announce a landmark $4 billion commitment to build 2700 remote Indigenous homes over the next decade.
While in Katherine Mr Albanese will also meet with local Mayor Elisabeth Clark and the Northern Land Council.
He is accompanied by Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, and Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour.
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