‘We can’t understand why the Chief Minister is digging his heels in’: Opposition pushes for compulsory drug testing

THE CLP has moved to make random drug testing for NT MLAs and staffers compulsory

• ‘Greatly disappointed’: Labor’s women denounce expelled MLA

THE CLP has moved to make random drug testing for NT MLAs and staffers compulsory, as Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro says the party now has one thing in common with NT Labor’s youth wing.

MORE RELATED NEWS

Let Turner stay in Labor, help us find Gunner’s spine: NT Young Labor

Disgraced Blain MLA shows up for parliament

Labor MLA Mark Turner’s cocaine indifference unmasked in text messages

Ms Finocchiaro, doubling down on her stance that random drug testing should come into play in parliament, said the CLP would be moving a motion demanding the Chief Minister to “take all necessary steps” to implement drug testing for staff and MLAs.

She also committed to putting in place random drug testing for the fifth floor and parliamentarians should the CLP win the next election- scheduled for 2024.

Ms Finocchiaro did not rule out expanding random drug testing to the entire public service.

The motion will be moved on Wednesday.

“We can’t understand why the Chief Minister is digging his heels in and failing to implement drug testing for staff and members of parliament, if he has nothing to hide,” she said.

It comes amid the expulsion of Blain MLA Mark Turner from Labor caucus and Michael Gunner confirming he had “rumours” about drug use on the fifth floor.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

Ms Finocchiaro, in response to a scathing letter from NT Young Labor, said the CLP had one thing common with them- they both agree the Chief Minister “doesn’t have a backbone”.

Blain MLA Mark Turner was in parliament for 10 minutes at the start of the day but has not been seen since.

Follow @MaduraMcCormack