Rifts form within Territory Alliance as members voice anxiety over ‘cultural shift’ from party ethos

TERRITORY Alliance’s dead duck delivery of its controversial anti-fracking policy has sparked internal fears that a ‘cultural shift’ away from the party’s ethos is occurring

TERRITORY Alliance’s dead duck delivery of its controversial anti-fracking policy has sparked internal fears that a “cultural shift” away from the party’s ethos of transparency and collective democracy is underway.

The NT News understands people within the party have been taken aback by the tightening of communication between those at the top and the wider members as the campaign gets underway.

Territory Alliance’s campaign director James Lantry and his deputy Delia Lawrie are said to be behind why the leadership team have begun keeping things “close to their chest”, largely driven by fears of leaks to the media and opposing parties.

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Party leader Terry Mills said it was a “shock” to hear of people speaking up, calling it an “odd thing” to occur.

He denied there were any internal issues to be concerned about. The NT’s newest political party was created on the ideology of tackling decisions as a collective and steering away from the “top down” approach reserved for major parties like the CLP and Labor.

Territory Alliance's Terry Mills, Robyn Lambley and Jeff Collins at a press conference about their fracking policy. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Fong Lim MLA Jeff Collins, during a round of firey questioning from Katie Woolf on Mix 104.9 yesterday, was unable to say if Territory Alliance’s recent anti-fracking policy had gone to a wider party vote, as is their practice.

It did not, leader Terry Mills confirmed.

The party’s constitution states members “may” vote on policy and proposals that gain a majority of votes from the members will be considered as “recommended”.

Territory Alliance members were canvased during the Johnston by-election about their views on fracking, with a slim majority strongly opposing the gas extraction method.

The party’s policy this week, which takes a firm stance against hydraulic fracturing but remains supportive of offshore gas and other “conventional” gas extraction methods, was unanimously supported by all candidates.

Former Labor leader turned Territory Alliance campaign manager Delia Lawrie.

“In having a read of what the general view of the membership, it was established the majority are against fracking,” Mr Mills said.

“The membership are involved as far as possible, and have been canvassed on a wide range of matters.

“Their responses exist, but in the purpose of a campaign, the constitution says they “may” and I would say they all cases have been given the opportunity to give their feedback, but at the end of the day it is the executive group that makes the decisions.”

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Mr Mills also shed light on how the party’s three MLAs managed to miss their own debate on fracking during the final day of parliament.

Mr Mills said he had been in a meeting with Araluen MP Robyn Lambley in the parliamentary wing, with Mr Collins holding the fort in the chamber. Mr Collins happened to have ducked out to grab something from the printer when the debate was called and the party missed it.