Leader of the Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, says Natasha Fyles has proven she has no desire to combat the Territory’s escalating and unsustainable levels of crime, or address the catastrophic concerns within NT police by refusing to take back the police portfolio, which traditionally sits with the Chief Minister.
“While we welcome Nicole Manison being dumped from one of the Territory’s most important portfolios, police will be undoubtedly be disappointed their concerns are still being ignored by Labor.
“With Kate Worden taking on police, Territorians can expect to see a further watering down of youth justice now that this portfolio sits with the same minister as Territory Families.
“Treasury now sits with Eva Lawler, a Minister who has an abysmal record on fiscal management, and famously says that “sometimes projects go over, sometimes they go under”:
- $1 million overspend on Myilly Point playground
- $3 million shadeless shade structure
- $12 million Nightcliff police station
- $14 million budget blow out during construction of Garramilla Boulevard
- $12 million taxpayer funds spent on dodgy grandstand deal
- $1 million cost blow out of demolition of Chan Building
- $800,000 spent on Myilly Point museum, which was eventually scrapped
“Selena Uibo has been dumped as the Territory’s top law officer, and is replaced by Chansey Paech – who has lost the Remote Housing portfolio. Selena remains Treaty Minister, despite the fact she covered-up allegations of verbal abuse and threats of physical violence towards an Aboriginal woman by former Treaty Minister Mick Dodson.
“What happened to Joel Bowden? He completely missed out on being elevated to Cabinet or securing the role of Speaker, despite backing Natasha Fyles to be leader. Is the disgraced Member for Blain, who was dumped from caucus for his involvement in the Labor ‘Cocaine Sex’ Scandal, back in the fold? “Labor Ministers now have a mammoth task of getting across their new portfolios ahead of intense budget scrutiny, when Estimates Committee hearings begin in just three weeks,” said Mrs Finocchiaro.
ENDS