Robyn Lambley joins Terry Mills' Territory Alliance party making it likely to take Opposition status
ROBYN Lambley, the Independent member for Araluen, has told the NT News she has joined Terry Mills' Territory Alliance political party. Ms Lambley’s decision will change the political landscape in the Territory.
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ROBYN Lambley, the Independent member for Araluen, has told the NT News she has joined Terry Mills' Territory Alliance political party. Ms Lambley’s decision will change the political landscape in the Territory.
She will announce the move at a press conference at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs at 11am today.
Mr Mills, the Member for Blain, flew to Alice Springs this morning.
Ms Lambley’s change of heart will deliver three politicians to Mr Mills’ new party, giving it one more member of Parliament than the recognised Opposition, the Country Liberal Party.
The now three-member Territory Alliance party will create a new problem for Chief Minister Michael Gunner, who ultimately has the final say on who is recognised as the official Opposition for office budget funding purposes.
Just as he has final say on all ministerial office budgets, he also has final sign-off on Opposition budget allocations.
The decision of Opposition status could also be fought out on the floor of Parliament, which resumes on March 24 and sits for three days.
There are only seven more sitting days before the August election.
Speaking to the NT News before her official announcement, Ms Lambley said the past eight years has seen chaos and then complete incompetence in the NT Government.
She said that under a Territory Alliance Government the next four years would see stability, sensibility and measure.
“My reasons for joining Territory Alliance have nothing to do with resources or the official Opposition status," Ms Lambley said.
"My town of Alice Springs is deteriorating before our eyes. Crime andlawlessness is paralyzing us socially and economically.
"I have joined Territory Alliance today to be a part of a sensible, competent team that will implement real solutions to these problems.”
She said that as an Independent Member of Parliament she had been limited in what she could promise and what she could deliver.
"As a member of Territory Alliance I will promise and I will deliver," Ms Lambley said.
“I have listened to the people of Alice Springs and they have told me they want a youth curfew.
"I promise that a youth curfew will be delivered to Alice Springs within the first 100 days by a Territory Alliance Government.
"We will make the streets of Alice Springs safe again.
"All Territorians need to see a safe future for themselves and their families."
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