By Carl Pfeiffer

Former Labor minister Ken Vowles has been volunteering for CLP candidate Tracey Hayes, who is running in the NT election against Chief Minister Michael Gunner in Fannie Bay.

Mr Vowles sent a letter to Territory Labor on Thursday advising he was quitting the party and was spotted letterbox dropping for Ms Hayes on Friday morning in Wells St, Fannie Bay, which sits in her electorate.

“It’s not the party I joined,” Mr Vowles told the NT Independent. “My beliefs of giving every Territorian a voice still remain strong and I love the NT.

Ms Hayes said Mr Vowles would be a valuable ally to her campaign.

“I think what it shows is Ken’s still very passionate about the Territory and Territorians,” she told the NT Independent.  

“He has some valuable experience which I welcome.

“Building a team and volunteer base is a really important part of campaigning and I’m grateful for the assistance.”

Mr Vowles was sacked from the NT Labor party caucus after he publicly criticised Chief Minister Michael Gunner and the NT Government’s handling of the economy and the Territory’s finances before Christmas in 2018.

He was minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Primary Industry and Resources.

In November, Mr Vowles announced he would be stepping away from his position as Member for Johnston on January 31 but was remaining a member of the Labor Party.

Labor’s Joel Bowden who won a by-election for the seat in February despite a massive swing against the party. At the time, Mr Vowles did not publicly endorse any candidate.

Mr Vowles has been a Labor MP since 2012, in both government and opposition, for three different leaders: Paul Henderson, Delia Lawrie and Michael Gunner.

Ms Hayes said she was looking to “draw on experience from both sides of politics”.

“I think it’s important to be informed going into a role like this, regardless of which side of politics you come from or what values you believe in, it’s important to be able to draw on that experience,” she said.

“Ken is one of many that falls into that category, who’s previous history and experience I value.”

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