Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has spoken with a disgruntled former board member who
is furious about the Gunner Government’s attack on board members and their demands that
they resign.
“A government cannot bully other people to escape culpability – that is an abuse of power
and position,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
The deep discontent with the Gunner Government’s handling of the dodgy Fannie Bay
grandstand has led to a former Darwin Turf Club board member confirming to the Opposition
that the then Board:
- Was not aware that the Gunner Government required a submission for them to take the proposal to Cabinet;
- Had not seen the submission that was emailed to Department of Tourism, Business and Industry CEO Shaun Drabsch at 1.06pm on 13 June 2019; and
- Had only became aware of the existence of the submission because of the ICAC investigation.
“Michael Gunner, Natasha Fyles and other government ministers are using members of a
volunteer board as a political shield without any regard for their involvement in the scandal,”
Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“This information shows the depth of discontent in the Government’s handling of this
scandal and their refusal to take responsibility for what was solely a Government decision.
“Ironically, the very board that had 100% control over whether to give away $12 million was
led by Michael Gunner and included current Cabinet members Natasha Fyles, Eva Lawler,
Paul Kirby, Lauren Moss and Selena Uibo and former members Gerry McCarthy and Dale
Wakefield.
“It is truly despicable that Government Ministers are prepared to abuse their power and
position to bully other people to take responsibility for what are their own monumental
failings.
“The real board that needs to resign is the Cabinet that approved the giving away of $12
million.”
ENDS