Labor MLA Mark Turner’s cocaine indifference unmasked in new texts

LABOR MLA and decorated former cop Mark Turner seemingly appeared unconcerned over the revelation of his lover’s use of a bad batch of cocaine which left her mate hospitalised for three days, text messages have revealed.

LABOR MLA and decorated former cop Mark Turner seemingly appeared unconcerned over the revelation of his lover’s use of a bad batch of cocaine which left her mate hospitalised for three days, text messages have revealed.

The messages, obtained by the NT News, are at the centre of the controversy which led to his demotion on Thursday.

Mr Turner, who is six months into his first term in parliament, was also expelled from the Labor caucus.

Text messages between Mr Turner and his lover, obtained by the NT News, show that the married father of five appeared to be indifferent to the news that the woman was an illicit drug user.

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Labor MLA Mark Turner. Photograph: Che Chorley

In a text message exchange, the woman told Mr Turner her mate was in hospital after they both “had some dodgy coke”, to which Mr Turner replied “that’s no fun”.

The woman then explained her mate “got sicker and had to go on a drip”, to which Mr Turner replied “Loving (sic) the dream lol”.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, whose voice was hoarse when he spoke in Parliament on Thursday, said Mr Turner had lost his trust for failing to be “completely forthcoming” about the extramarital affair.

The move by Mr Gunner and his Labor team came after a crisis meeting on Thursday morning, during which it was decided the Blain MLA would be removed from the deputy speakership following revelations that police had been investigating a so-called “cocaine sex scandal” for two months.

There is no suggestion Mr Turner used cocaine.

Hon Michael Gunner. Photograph: Che Chorley

By the afternoon, amid revelations that Mr Turner had tried to coax the woman at the centre of the debacle to make a news statement before he confessed to the extramarital affair, caucus had agreed to kick him out altogether.

“We have tried to support the Member for Blain through a difficult personal issue that has caused him and his family pain and embarrassment, but he has not met the standards I have set for our team, or the standards our team holds itself to,” Mr Gunner said.

“(Mr Turner) has lost my trust, he has lost the trust of the caucus.”

Mr Gunner also revealed that the fifth-floor staffer implicated in the tryst had resigned to “seek support for personal issues”.

Mr Gunner said Mr Turner and the staffer categorically rejected allegations of criminal activity.

The expulsion of Mr Turner from caucus means he is a non-government member but retains Labor Party membership.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture Glenn Campbell

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro questioned whether the tight election race in the Palmerston seat of Blain would have gone differently if “Territorians got to know the truth” about Mr Turner.

“Because he campaigned very hard on a platform of family values, very hard indeed,” she said.

Ms Finocchiaro later called on Mr Turner to resign from parliament altogether.

The NT News asked Mr Turner if he planned to sit on the crossbench or resign from parliament, a move that would spark a by-election in his seat of Blain.

Mr Turner did not respond.

In the 2020 election, Mr Turner won Blain by a mere 13 votes (2095-2082) over CLP candidate Matthew Kerle.

Former chief minister and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills finished third.

Originally published as Labor MLA Mark Turner’s cocaine indifference unmasked in new texts