Tag: Michael Gunner

Ex-Northern Territory Chief Minister Cleared of Political Interference

The Northern Territory anti-corruption watchdog has cleared former chief minister Michael Gunner of political interference allegations over the decision to charge a policeman with an Indigenous teenager’s murder. Former constable Zachary Rolfe was acquitted of murdering Kumanjayi Walker, 19, who he shot three times and killed during a bungled outback arrest at Yuendumu in 2019. After…


Former Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner Resigns From Parliament

The former chief minister of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT), Michael Gunner, has resigned from parliament to spend more time with family just two months after stepping down from the territory’s top job. Making the announcement in parliament on Wednesday night, the 46-year-old said the months since his resignation as a chief minister had allowed him…


Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner Resigns to Be with Family

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) chief minister, Michael Gunner, resigned from office on Tuesday, saying his heart is no longer in the job but rather focused on family. After having just handed down the 2022 Northern Territory Budget, Gunner said his government was seeing stronger economic growth, more jobs, and a better bottom line in the…


Northern Territory Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate

Northern Territory (NT) Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced on Wednesday that the NT-wide indoor mask mandate would end as of next Monday. Gunner said the decision was made based on the downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations after statistics showed in February, there were around 6,500 active COVID-19 cases in the NT and 129…


Australia’s NT Leader Explains Why Border Restrictions Dropped Despite Former Tough Stance

Northern Territory (NT) Chief Minister Michael Gunner has provided an explanation as to why entry restrictions to the Australian territory have been removed despite having previously taken a hard line on COVID-19 vaccination status and testing. In a statement released over the weekend, Gunner said that the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus is now…


Northern Territory Country Liberal Party Will Not Raise Age of Criminal Responsibility

Northern Territory (NT) Country Liberal Party (CLP) Leader Lia Finocchiaro has stated that her party will not raise the age of criminal responsibility if they are elected to Government in 2024. In a social media post on Sunday, Finocchiaro said that the CLP is committed to putting the rights of victims before those of offenders….


If You Are Anti-Mandate, You Are Anti-Vax: NT Chief Minister

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner called all people who are against COVID-19 vaccine mandates, or supports those who are against the mandates, “anti-vaxxers.” “If you are anti-mandate, you are absolutely anti-vax,” Gunner told reporters today. “If you support, champion, give a green-light, give comfort, support. Anybody who argues against the vaccine—you are an anti-vaxxer,…


Lockdowns in Remote Communities Could Spark Serious Mental Health Issues: Police Commissioner

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalkner has warned that hard lockdowns in the communities of Binjari and Rockhole, both on the outskirts of Katherine, may have a serious effect on the mental health of residents. This comes after Chief Minister Michael Gunner ordered lockdowns for the two communities on Saturday night following the detection of…


Australian Aboriginal Health Body Criticizes State Government over Lack of Consultation

The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory had released a statement saying the organisation was not adequately consulted before Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced new restrictions for remote communities. In the media release on Nov.10, AMSANT Chief Executive John Paterson said that “with regard to the requirement for rapid antigen testing and mask wearing in remote…


NT COVID-19 Source Furious after ‘Sex Worker’ Facebook Slur

A Cairns woman who sparked the Northern Territory COVID-19 outbreak has said she was “livid” at the Facebook post made by the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner, which labelled her a sex worker. The since-deleted post, which detailed her recent movements in the community while infectious, read: “She is a sex worker, she should…