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NT MP won't recontest after sex scandal

Nathan Barrett will not recontest his seat of Blain in the August NT election following his resignation from cabinet after a sex video scandal.

NT Sports Minister Nathan Barrett
Former Northern Territory Sports Minister Nathan Barrett. Source: Facebook

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Source: AAP


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The disgraced Northern Territory minister who sent sex videos to a female constituent won't recontest his seat at the upcoming election, the Country Liberals president says.

Nathan Barrett resigned from cabinet on Saturday after admitting he had sent two videos of himself masturbating to a woman he says he was in a brief relationship with, primarily carried out online.

The woman told News Corp Australia that he exploited her vulnerability and offered a job if he became treasurer after the election, and said the videos were unsolicited.

Mr Barrett initially indicated he would recontest the seat, which he has held for two years since he won it in a by-election in 2014.

But on Sunday CLP president Tory Mencshelyi said Mr Barrett and his wife made the decision not to run.

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The party has until early August before nominations close ahead of the August 27 poll.

Ms Mencshelyi said the Palmerston branch would choose a candidate as soon as possible.

She said the scandal was disappointing.

"We don't condone this type of behaviour," she told AAP.

"It's my understanding that it was a mutual relationship that occurred online, that there was actually images exchanged by both parties and that the other party is a former member of the Country Liberals."

The incident is just the latest blow for the minority government.

Mr Barrett, a committed Christian and former school teacher who campaigned as a family man, was a newcomer to politics and was only promoted to cabinet in February after the former deputy Chief Minister Willem Westra van Holthe stepped down.

He was forced to do so after it was revealed he planned to privately invest more than $500,000 with a Vietnamese company he was negotiating with on behalf of the government to develop a 10,000 hectare dragon fruit farm in the top end.

He was also in an extra-marital relationship with an employee of the company at the time.

Mr Barrett took on the portfolios of sport and recreation and young territorians, and as assistant treasurer was being primed to take over from incumbent David Tollner after he resigns from politics.

It is unclear now who among the CLP government or candidates will be best placed for that job.


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