NT Politics: Police Minister Brent Potter apologises for ‘dickhead’ social media posts

Brent Potter says he’s ashamed of posts that were ‘absolutely racist’, as the Chief Minister speaks out, calling her Police Minister an ‘idiot’. Here’s why the CLP says he must go.

Police Minister Brent Potter has apologised for racist, sexist and homophobic posts he previously shared online, resisting pressure to stand aside over the scandal and insisting he had done “a lot of growing” since then.

A second batch of the now deleted Facebook posts, shared between five and 11 years ago, were revealed on Thursday, including links to memes and stories that criticised Labor figures, punched-down on Don Dale detainees, made gay jokes and apparently denigrated feminism.

“I firstly want to apologise to anyone that I’ve hurt or embarrassed,” Mr Potter, 36, told the media pack on Thursday morning.

“In hindsight, they were absolutely racist.

“I’m absolutely shamed and embarrassed about them, they’re reflective of a 20-year-old in a particular time of their life, in a particular trade, with a very narrow view of the world.

“I can’t take that back … they were dickhead posts to be making.

“All I can say is that since then, there’s been a lot of growing done; I’ve changed.”

NT Police Minister Brent Potter has apologised for 'absolutely racist' social media posts he previously shared on Facebook. Picture: Fia Walsh.

He said a large part of that change came from leaving the Australian Army, where he served for 15 years.

“It’s not an excuse, but I’ve gone from an organisation that requires a particular type of person, with particular stresses, (and) gave a very narrow view of the world,” he said.

He said leaving the Australian Defence Force before going on to work in Aged Care, working with his Labor colleagues, and being a father had helped to shift his worldview.

Asked if he was a feminist, Mr Potter again turned to his family.

“Ultimately, I’ve got two daughters, I’ve got my wife, I believe in the movement.”

Now deleted social media post from NT Police Minister Brent Potter, quoting Nazi general Erwin Rommel.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler, who only found out about the posts when the NT Independent broke the story on Wednesday, called her cabinet minister “an idiot”.

“There’s no doubt that the way Brent Potter used social media was stupid and insensitive – to be blunt, he was an idiot,” she said.

“However, the Brent Potter I know is a hard working minister and is focused on making our community safer.

“People learn from their mistakes. Brent has undoubtedly made mistakes but he is hardworking and passionate about making the Territory a better place.”

Mr Potter said he discussed his social media activity with former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles before his preselection for Fannie Bay.

“She asked me did they reflect my views and opinions anymore, and no, they didn’t.”

Potter said then Chief Minister Natasha Fyles knew about some of his Facebook activity when he was handpicked to run for Fannie Bay. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Opposition Leader Lia Fionocchiaro said Mr Potter’s position as Police Minister was untenable, saying he and Ms Lawler should have given more of an apology on Wednesday when the posts were first exposed, and accused them of “hypocrisy” for being “quick to jump on” an investigation into police racism following allegations made by former Constable Zach Rolfe at a coronial last week.

“He cannot lead our police when he holds himself to a lower standard and a lower expectation than he expects of them,” she said.

“Where is the line for Eva Lawler? ... this is the third scandal in her team in as many months, and all of those times it’s resulted in no consequences for the those people.”

The NT Police Association on Thursday said it was difficult to see how Mr Potter could continue in the police portfolio, joining calls from Independent MLA Robyn Lambley for him to stand aside.

Mr Potter said that decision was in the hands of Territorians at the August election.