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| Northern Territory government in turmoil after three ministers sacked | Northern Territory government in turmoil after three ministers sacked |
| (30 days later) | |
| The Northern Territory government is in turmoil with three ministers sacked over their criticism of budget management and leadership. | The Northern Territory government is in turmoil with three ministers sacked over their criticism of budget management and leadership. |
| The chief minister, Michael Gunner, has given the boot to the resources and Aboriginal affairs minister, Ken Vowles, as well as assistant ministers Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell. | The chief minister, Michael Gunner, has given the boot to the resources and Aboriginal affairs minister, Ken Vowles, as well as assistant ministers Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell. |
| Gunner said in a statement on Friday the three MPs had “broken caucus rules and standards” to which they signed at the start of the government’s term. | Gunner said in a statement on Friday the three MPs had “broken caucus rules and standards” to which they signed at the start of the government’s term. |
| As well, Vowles had been expelled from cabinet for “breaking cabinet confidentiality”, Gunner said. | As well, Vowles had been expelled from cabinet for “breaking cabinet confidentiality”, Gunner said. |
| “Territorians expect and deserve government to be solely focused on their concerns and making their lives better,” he said. | “Territorians expect and deserve government to be solely focused on their concerns and making their lives better,” he said. |
| The trio are expected to sit as independents in the NT assembly. | The trio are expected to sit as independents in the NT assembly. |
| Federal government asked to investigate Northern Land Council over CEO sacking | Federal government asked to investigate Northern Land Council over CEO sacking |
| Vowles said Gunner, who is in New Zealand on holidays, had informed him of the decision over the phone. | Vowles said Gunner, who is in New Zealand on holidays, had informed him of the decision over the phone. |
| “Michael Gunner called me and he said, ‘You’ve broken caucus rules and you no longer have a position in cabinet and I’m banning you from the caucus’,” Vowles told reporters in Darwin on Friday. | “Michael Gunner called me and he said, ‘You’ve broken caucus rules and you no longer have a position in cabinet and I’m banning you from the caucus’,” Vowles told reporters in Darwin on Friday. |
| Vowles said he wanted to continue as a Labor MP, but admitted it was a decision for the party. | Vowles said he wanted to continue as a Labor MP, but admitted it was a decision for the party. |
| “I feel for Jeff, I feel for Scott. We will consider what we are doing later but I hope we stay within the Labor party.” | “I feel for Jeff, I feel for Scott. We will consider what we are doing later but I hope we stay within the Labor party.” |
| He said there was strong support in the Labor caucus for a leadership change and many caucus members supported him for the top job. | He said there was strong support in the Labor caucus for a leadership change and many caucus members supported him for the top job. |
| Vowles said the Gunner government was now focused on “spin” and not addressing key issues such as crime and proper budget management. | Vowles said the Gunner government was now focused on “spin” and not addressing key issues such as crime and proper budget management. |
| “What we need is a chief minister who is going to make the hard decisions for the territory,” he said. | “What we need is a chief minister who is going to make the hard decisions for the territory,” he said. |
| The NT News on Wednesday published a leaked email in which Vowles likened the government to a business that was “trading insolvent”. | The NT News on Wednesday published a leaked email in which Vowles likened the government to a business that was “trading insolvent”. |
| “Our commitments need to be revisited, our public service growth must stop, a real freeze on new positions, the business (class) trips, the chartered flights and spending needs to stop,” Vowles wrote. | “Our commitments need to be revisited, our public service growth must stop, a real freeze on new positions, the business (class) trips, the chartered flights and spending needs to stop,” Vowles wrote. |
| “We need to re-evaluate every announcement, every commitment because we need to make the hard decisions for the future of the Territory, not decisions to enhance our re-election prospects.” | “We need to re-evaluate every announcement, every commitment because we need to make the hard decisions for the future of the Territory, not decisions to enhance our re-election prospects.” |
| On Friday, the treasurer, Nicole Manison, described Vowles’ comments as “unhelpful” and said she had spoken with her colleague. | On Friday, the treasurer, Nicole Manison, described Vowles’ comments as “unhelpful” and said she had spoken with her colleague. |
| Collins told ABC radio in Darwin on Friday there was “no diversity of conversation” in the Labor caucus. | Collins told ABC radio in Darwin on Friday there was “no diversity of conversation” in the Labor caucus. |
| The federal resources minister, Matt Canavan, a Nationals senator, said he was sad to see his NT colleague axed. | The federal resources minister, Matt Canavan, a Nationals senator, said he was sad to see his NT colleague axed. |
| “Sorry to see @KenVowles removal from NT cabinet. Always found him a straight shooter and good to work with. So much promise in NT. Let’s hope things can get back on track,” Canavan tweeted. | “Sorry to see @KenVowles removal from NT cabinet. Always found him a straight shooter and good to work with. So much promise in NT. Let’s hope things can get back on track,” Canavan tweeted. |
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