The Northern Territory government loses votes every time a sex scandal involving one of its members gets an airing, an independent MP warns.
Lawyers for Nathan Barrett argue the online communications between him and a woman prove they were engaged in a consensual affair.
But the woman says although they had become "close" she felt he had manipulated her when she was vulnerable and didn't want to receive the two videos of him performing a sex act.
Mr Barrett resigned from the ministry on June 11, apologised to the woman and said he was disappointed in himself.
The Country Liberals Party initially condemned his actions and distanced itself from Mr Barrett, who remained in the party.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
But now the minority government is trying to show the relationship was consensual so Mr Barrett - and his vote - remain in the party.
It's also questioned the woman's motives, noting she was CLP member until her resignation in March and had been seen at Labor party campaign events in Mr Barrett's seat.
"I've seen some of the material that's been exchanged between Nathan and this lady. It's clearly a consensual relationship," Business Minister Peter Styles told Mix 104.9 FM on Friday.
"There's questions about other people who are involved in this. I think there's a lot more twists and turns in this to come."
But independent MP Robyn Lambley, who quit the CLP a year ago over bullying allegations, said the government's continuing discussion of the scandal was hurting it politically as the August 27 territory election looms.
"Every day we talk about this, the CLP loses another 1000 votes or more," she said.
"I'm so surprised at how poorly managed this whole issue has been."
