NT Minister Declared Incompetent

"The total incompetence of the Minister for Mines and Energy, Chris Natt, means he should either resign or be sacked,” says Fay Miller, Shadow Minister for Mines and Energy.

"The Minister's handling of the approval process for the McArthur River Mine has been totally inept.

"Question time today was his last chance to demonstrate why he should hold onto to his job – he failed dismally.

"He spent the entire time evading the questions put to him and in the process confirmed he lacked the requisite understanding of the issues to continue as the Minister for Mines and Energy.

"The Mines and Energy portfolio is too important, with too many jobs and too much investment at stake, to be in the hands of an incompetent Minister.”

As a consequence the Opposition moved the following motion of no confidence:

Madam Speaker, I move that so much of standing orders be suspended that would prevent this house from moving a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries Mines and Energy for his incompetence, and his inability to execute his duties as a Minister of the Crown.

"The Minister's response to the no confidence motion also lacked poise and conviction,” says Mrs Miller.

"His refusal to accept any responsibility for the debacle surrounding the flawed approval process also marks him out as unfit for a Ministerial position.

"In the Westminster system responsibility rests with the relevant Minister – Chris Natt needs to go.”

2007-05-03