NT Chief Minister Won't Sack Liars

The Chief Minister’s admission in Parliament today that he would not sack members who lie to the Assembly is an absolute disgrace.

"In the same week that his Government tables a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards Bill, Paul Henderson shows just how averse he is to the truth by refusing to say whether he’d sack a member who lied," says Opposition Leader Terry Mills.

"Is it any wonder that the Education Minister feels so comfortable telling porkies to the Assembly and Territorians?

"Yesterday Marion Scrymgour told the Assembly her daughter had been having a facial at a Parap beauty salon at the same time as Territory teachers marched on the Parliament.

"Yet today, in an article in The Australian newspaper, it is reported Marion Scrymgour was also having a facial – specifically an eyebrow, lip and chin wax – a charge she denied yesterday in the House.

"She failed to properly explain this disparity to the House today; and a question about another false claim she made yesterday that former Education CEO Margaret Banks was "working" in the Chief Minister’s Department was hand-balled across to Paul Henderson.

"Needless to say, he also refused to answer the question. The Opposition will use the Freedom of Information Act to pursue this fact."

2008-10-23