Northern Territory Shadow Minister for Regional Development Adam Giles

SHIRES STORY TIME

Victor P Taffa

The stock in trade of the Territory Labor Party seems to be the telling of tall stories, Shadow Regional Development Minister Adam Giles said today.

“It has been recounted to me that several members of the NT Labor Government are wandering through their electorates telling constituents that Labor are keen to get rid of the Shires.” Mr. Giles said.

“They are even going as far as fabricating stories about the Country Liberals position on Shire reforms, leaving the real truth by the wayside and completely glossing over the Labor Government’s ongoing acts of indecision and internal division.”

“Labor members Rob Knight, Malarndirri McCarthy, Lynne Walker and Karl Hampton should publicly show their hand on their support or otherwise of the Labor Shires model.”

“Those members who are promoting stories that are different to their well known support of the Shires should be embarrassed to be passing off distorted views as facts.” Mr. Giles said.

“Instead, they should be listening to the views of some of their own party; like Marion Scrymgour who says that the shire implementation plan has been troubled from the start.”

“The Country Liberals want a new level of regional governance, not like the current Labor Government.”

“For example, there is room in a reform of the Shires for a commitment to support outstations and homelands, something Labor has backed away from.” Mr. Giles said.

“The Country Liberals will support homelands and outstations where it is a person’s principle place of residence and where all children are going to school.”

“The cultural connection and the need to encourage people to live and invest in their country, is what people want and what the Country Liberals will support.” Mr. Giles said.

“The shire reforms are necessary so that these changes can be implemented, particularly addressing issues raised by the community around service delivery and local decision making.”

“Wherever I go, people tell me the Labor shire model is toxic and it’s time that changes to fix the problem were brought forward for discussion, not dismissed in a self defence campaign.”

“With their heads in the sand I doubt that these Labor members are listening to the people in their electorates, just telling people stories about what they think are best.” Mr. Giles said.