KEY POINTS
- NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has resigned over a conflict of interest scandal.
- It was revealed Fyles held undeclared shares in a company that owns a mine in the territory.
- There have been consistent calls for the government to test the mine's health impact.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has resigned after facing two conflict of interest scandals in the space of two months, continuing the rapid turnover of state and territory leaders.
Reports this week that Fyles had not disclosed roughly $2,500 worth of shares in South32, a company that owns Groote Eylandt mine, came after revelations in November that she owned more than $5,000 worth of shares .
The NT government has not acted on calls from the community to test the health impact of the mine. Fyles also serves as the NT health minister.
Announcing her resignation on Tuesday, Fyles insisted the shares never impacted her decision-making and that she had "always endeavoured" to properly declare her financial holdings.
But she accepted she had failed to do so, saying her final day in office will be Thursday.
Fyles, pictured on the right in 2016, replaced Michael Gunner (centre) as chief minister in May last year. Source: AAP / Neda Vanovac
"I also hold myself to high standards. While I did not intentionally fail to declare this interest, it is clear that I have failed to meet the standards that are set for us, and the standards that I set for myself. I'm not going to make any excuses for that.
"So for this reason, I believe the honourable course of action is to resign as chief minister. I care too much about the territory, I care too much about our government and what it has achieved, to allow my personal mistake to impact on our progress. There is no point in dragging it out."
She has also resigned from her health portfolio, but will remain in the NT Legislative Assembly as the member for Nightcliff.
Fyles, a mother of two, said life had "its ups and downs" but the decision would allow her to spend more time with her loved ones.
"Last night, when I told my boys of my decision, a big smile crept across Henry's face. He thinks it's an early Christmas present, getting his mum back," she said.
Sarah Hanson-Young wants to haul Fyles before parliament. Source: AAP / Matt Turner
NT Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro, who labelled Fyles' position "untenable" and demanded her resignation, has promised to create the NT's first lobbyist register if she wins the next election. The territory is the only Australian jurisdiction not to currently have one.
Greens call on Fyles to appear at parliamentary inquiry
Acting leader of the federal Greens Sarah Hanson-Young announced on Tuesday she would call Fyles to give evidence at a parliamentary inquiry into a gas project in the territory.
In a statement on Thursday, Hanson-Young demanded the incoming chief minister immediately scrap new gas and petrochemical projects at Beetaloo and Middle Arm.
"The influence of the gas and mining lobby over politicians must be scrutinised," she said.
"It's unconscionable that federal Labor continues with the $1.5b in federal subsidies for the Middle Arm project. Australians are sick of politicians in the pockets of these corporations."
There has been a rapid turnover at national cabinet. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Resignation continues rapid turnover of state and territory leaders
Fyles' successor will be the territory's third chief minister in a single term, following the retirement of Michael Gunner in May last year.
Fyles' resignation continues the rapid turnover of state and territory leaders over the past two years.
All states and territories except the ACT have changed leaders at least once since April last year, either via resignation or the ballot box.
SA leader Peter Malinauskas is the country's longest-serving premier, but has been in office for less than two years.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr is nearing a decade in office.
