Shadow Minister for Racing, Gaming and Licensing, Marie-Clare Boothby, says it’s ludicrous for the Chief Minister to try and claw back the $12 million he and his Labor team gifted to the Darwin Turf Club through an improper Cabinet process.
“Only the Chief Minister and his cabinet could grant that funding, yet Michael Gunner is throwing the DTC board – and all its members – under the bus, in a desperate attempt to distance himself from this disgraceful corruption scandal.
“Michael Gunner carried the submission ‘under the arm’ into Cabinet. Michael Gunner’s Chief of Staff and office supported the Turf Club in the preparation of its submission to government. Michael Gunner and his Labor colleagues made a $12 million funding decision without any proper process.
“For the cash-strapped Chief Minister to demand the members of the Turf Club pay that money back is an absolute joke.
“As pointed out by DTC Chairman Richard O’Sullivan, the Turf Club has complied with the recommendations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) report – which does not recommend or make findings that the $12 million be returned.
“The decision by the Chief Minister to punish members of the Turf Club and the wider racing industry for his mistakes is absolutely disgraceful. “The only people who should be paying back that $12 million is Michael Gunner and his Labor Cabinet colleagues,” said Mrs Boothby.
ENDS