Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says the Chief Minister’s frantic attempt to distract
from his involvement in approving the $12 million handout for the dodgy grandstand deal, by
trying to changes laws that govern sporting and social clubs, and community groups across
the Territory, is desperate and pathetic.
“Following the ICAC report into the Gunner Government’s gifting of $12 million in taxpayer
funds through an improper cabinet process, Michael Gunner fronted the media and
demanded the Darwin Turf Club board resign – or he’d change the law so he could sack them.
“What this highlights is just how grossly incompetent and desperate this Chief Minister is.
“Instead of taking responsibility for pushing through his pet project, the best he and his spin
doctors could cobble together was empty threats about recouping the $12 million and
dismissing the board – which he has absolutely no power to do.
“This is just another example of the Gunner Government being caught out making rash and
reckless decisions, and Labor Ministers think the answer is to change the law to suit
themselves – which is completely absurd,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Gerard Maley, says any legislative change giving Labor
unprecedented and unrestricted power over sporting and social club governance would have
a detrimental impact on every club across the Territory.
“We should never be in a position where every gymnastics club, pony club or footy club is
controlled by Michael Gunner, and the CLP will not support these changes. The only people
who should have a say about who is on the board of a club is its membership – and Labor
should stop interfering.
“Michael Gunner and his cabinet colleagues sit on the only board that could approve the $12
million for this dodgy deal.
“The Gunner Government lied about this submission going through a proper cabinet process
and lied about this submission being a market-led proposal. The Labor cabinet is the board
that should resign,” said Mr Maley.
ENDS