NT government in disarray after Speaker resigns

The Northern Territory's chief minister insists nothing will change with Speaker Kezia Purick's resignation, despite the government losing its one-seat majority.

Ms Purick has announced her resignation from the Country Liberals government, citing a "lack of transparency" as the reason.

Asked about it early on Monday, Chief Minister Adam Giles told Mix 104.9 "it's the first I've heard of it".

"Kezia has been a integral member of the team and of government, I've had a good time working with her both in opposition and in government," he said.

"She's a person who is very outspoken for her electorate and that's what we expect all members of parliament to do."

But if she did leave, "we'll just get on and govern, nothing will change", he said.

The CLP won government in August 2012 with 16 seats in the 25-seat Legislative Assembly, but has lost three members over the past year, all women who walked out.

Aboriginal members Alison Anderson and Larisa Lee resigned last April amidst claims of racism and sexism in government.

Former deputy chief minister Robyn Lambley left the party last month, accusing Mr Giles of running government like a boys' club and driving her out, and of threatening and bullying colleagues into compliance.

All three MPs now sit as independents alongside longtime independent Gerry Wood.

If Ms Purick leaves the government, it will have to negotiate with one of the five independents to retain power until next August's election.

Ms Purick is unhappy about resistance to the establishment of an oversight body to improve governance and transparency and other issues.


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Source: AAP


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