UPDATED: Chief Minister Michael Gunner has insulted frontline pandemic workers and should “apologise immediately” for once again politicising the global COVID-19 pandemic to win votes, says the union representing the Territory’s police officers.
Daly by-election set for September 11, date catches CLP by surprise
The by-election in the electorate of Daly to replace CLP MLA Ian Sloan will be held on September 11, but confusion remains over how the date was selected, which appears to have caught the CLP by surprise.
NT Parliament shut down with no make-up dates planned
Despite Territory politicians being listed by the Chief Health Officer as “essential workers” during a lockdown, parliamentary sittings have been cancelled this week with no make-up dates currently planned.
‘Abuse of power’: Gunner Government kills debate on grandstand scandal in Parliament
The Gunner Government has killed a motion in Parliament that would have seen the $12 million grandstand grant to the Darwin Turf Club that the ICAC found was “affected by political donations” debated publicly, in what the Opposition called an “extraordinary abuse of power” to avoid scrutiny.
Fyles claims to be ‘offended’ in Parliament again, as debate turns into farce
Leader of Government Business Natasha Fyles has been “offended” in Parliament again, this time after Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro suggested the Gunner Government does not have the “capacity” to make decisions itself, has “fobbed off questions” and were “smug”.
CLP MLA’s shock resignation to trigger NT by-election
CLP Member for Daly Ian Sloan has announced this morning that he will retire from politics less than a year after being elected, triggering a by-election for the hotly contested seat.
‘Chairman’s friend’: Police commissioner Chalker received gifts of hospitality from Brett Dixon, Turf Club
EXCLUSIVE: NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, who internal Darwin Turf Club records show was invited to racing events as the “chairman’s friend”, has confirmed police resources are being used to investigate the NT Independent based on allegations made by former chairman Brett Dixon.
Grandstand scandal: This is why the Northern Territory needs independent media
We told you we would focus on exposing corruption – in the government, public service and elsewhere – and that we would be shaking up the media landscape in this town that was long ago compromised by different interests affecting how your stories are told and that led to public interest issues covered up.
‘Michael Gunner has lost the trust of the people’: Opposition says Chief Minister’s job ‘untenable’ following Dixon statement
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has “lost the trust of the people” and must immediately release the document Cabinet relied on to approve a $12 million grant for the Turf Club grandstand to restore integrity in government, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro says.
Former Darwin Turf Club board member appointed to chair another taxpayer-funded board
EXCLUSIVE: A disgraced Darwin Turf Club board member who was forced to resign by Chief Minister Michael Gunner for “improper conduct”, has been appointed chair of another government-funded board that her company has previously had contracts with, the NT Independent can reveal.
Manison says $12m grandstand grant followed ‘normal process’ despite ICAC corruption findings, Gunner doing ‘fantastic job’
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has been dodging media interviews on local radio stations despite feeling no pressure from his caucus colleagues, his deputy says, over his handling of the $12 million Darwin Turf Club grandstand grant.
‘Dodgy $12m grandstand grant tip of the iceberg’: Gunner Govt’s millions to horse racing questioned, possible breaches of funding agreement raised
EXCLUSIVE: The Gunner Government appears to have gifted more than $3 million to the NT’s peak horse racing body in its first budget – on top of an estimated $75 million five-year funding agreement – following a pre-election donation from companies owned by Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon, 2017 budget figures show.