The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Natasha Fyles announced her resignation on Tuesday afternoon, following reports of undisclosed shares in mining and gas companies.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference, Fyles declared her decision to resign from the top job in the Northern Territory follows her failure to disclose more than $2000 worth of shares invested in South32, a company that owns a manganese mine in Groote Eylandt island.
While many suspect foul play, Fyles assured reporters it was an unintentional “mistake”.
“High standards are expected from people holding high office, as they should be. I also hold myself to high standards,” she told reporters.
“While I did not intentionally failed to declare this interest, it is clear I have failed to meet the standards that are set for us and instead standards they set for myself. I will not make any excuses for that.”
It was for this reason, Fyles said at the press conference, that she is resigning as the Chief Minister for the Northern Territory, a position she has held since May 2022.
“I care too much about the territory, I care too much about our government and what it has achieved, to allow my personal mistake to impact on our progress. There is no point dragging it out,” Fyles said.
“I made a mistake. There is no excuse, I am owning up to it, I accept the consequences, that is the right thing to do.”
Fyles confirmed she will remain “serving her electorate” as the Member for Nightcliff next year.
“It has been an honour to serve the Northern Territory,” she said.
“Thank you to the amazing staff that have cared for me, to the public servants … to my colleagues, the union movement, the broader Labor movements, and all Territorians for your support.
“For now, farewell and I will see you in 2024.”
The shares scandal
According to reports from the ABC, the Labor party leader of the Northern Territory government was facing significant public scrutiny and pressure prior to her resignation announcement, after 754 shares worth more than $2000 in South32 were found under her name.
South32 owns a manganese mine in Groote Eylandt, a remote island in the Territory. Community members have been calling for an investigation over alleged health issues emerging as a result of the mine, which Fyles, who was also the Minister for Health, reportedly has invested in.
The findings come after it was revealed last month she owned more than $5000 worth of shares in Woodside, a gas company. Although she later divested these shares and declared she no longer had any other shares, she failed to disclose the shares in South32.
What’s next for the Territory
Fyles has been a member of the Labor party for 20 years and became the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory in May 2022. While many thought Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison would replace Michael Gunner following his shock resignation, Fyles was appointed the top job.
Coming from the Territory’s Labor left faction, she was just the second female Chief Minister of the Territory’s history, after Clare Martin’s leadership in 2001-2005.
However, it has been reported that the expected successor of Fyles will be Deputy Chief Minister, Nicole Manison.
Manison, from the Territory’s Labor right faction, has been the Member for Manguri since 2013 and has held the role of Deputy Chief Minister since 2016.
She holds several ministerial roles in the Labor government’s cabinet, including the Minister for Northern Australia and Trade, Mining and Industry, Tourism and Hospitality, Advanced Manufacturing and Parks and Rangers.
The next election in the Northern Territory will be in August 2024. According to polling from social and communications research group RedBridge, Labor’s primary vote sat at less than 20 per cent.
The opposition leader in the Northern Territory’s Legislative Assembly is Lia Finocchiaro from the Country Liberal party. She has repeatedly called for Natasha Fyles to resign following the allegations of her undisclosed shares in mining and gas companies.
Women’s Agenda has reached out to Natasha Fyles and the Chief Minister’s office for comment.