Newly released internal documents show Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s taxpayer-funded trip to Hawaii in 2017 – that included an overnight stay in Sydney to meet a high-priced tailor for his wedding suit – was extended just two weeks before the official trip occurred with re-booking penalty fees covered by Territorians.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner attempted to exclude a democratically-elected federal politician from participating in a media conference concerning federal funding to the Northern Territory, the NT Independent can reveal.
The Gunner Government’s explanation for its chaotic response to COVID-19 procedures in Alice Springs last night has been called into question, raising concerns over whether it could handle a bigger coronavirus emergency. The accuracy of the government’s claims is also being challenged.
The ABC’s claims that it has managed its conflict of interest with Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s wife Kristy O’Brien have been dismissed as untrue by ABC journalists speaking to Media Watch.
EXCLUSIVE: A mysterious trip Chief Minister Michael Gunner took to Sydney to meet a high-priced tailor in a hotel room, on the way home from an official international state visit in 2017, was kept off official travel reporting records while still being picked up by taxpayers, the NT Independent can reveal.
ABC managing director David Anderson has committed to personally review how the Darwin newsroom has managed a conflict of interest concerning Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s wife Kristy O’Brien, following questions by CLP Senator Sam McMahon at Senate Estimates in Canberra.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has delivered his first NT Budget as Treasurer that will see spending continue relatively unabated over the next decade as the Territory continues to plunge into record debt and deficit.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s office has refused to release the agreements he has signed with Chinese officials since coming to power in 2016, failing to provide a valid legal reason for blocking the public’s right to know.
Tuesday’s NT budget is expected to show little to no progress has been made on reigning in government expenditure, as taxpayers picked up an $18 million tab for government spin doctors last year that led to a departmental budget blow-out.
The integrity of ABC Darwin’s reporting has been called into question with at least three stories written by Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s wife Kristy O’Brien over the last two years flagged as potentially biased and serving Mr Gunner’s political interests.
The Chief Minister’s Office helped arrange for an ABC journalist to deliver a political “morning tea” speaking engagement, sparking fresh concerns over an unresolved conflict of interest at the public broadcaster and how it covers the Gunner Government.
The NT public service continues to grow at a higher rate than the population despite the Gunner Government’s repeated pledges over the last two years to implement a hiring freeze, the annual State of the Service report shows.
