Northern Territory Politics Rocked by Defection

By Rich Bowden

Img: NT Legislative Assembly. Credit: Lincolnite

The Northern Territory Labor party is uncertain of holding government this afternoon after the shock resignation of Indigenous Policy Minister, Alison Anderson. Ms Anderson allegedly attended a Cabinet meeting this morning before informing her staff of her decision according to this ABC Darwin report.

Ms Anderson said she had lost confidence in Chief Minister Paul Henderson after he had refused to rebut what she contended was a "racist" article in the weekend's Northern Territory News. Ms Anderson had also been in dispute with her own party over Indigenous Housing policy.

The NT parliament realignment now is on a knife edge with 11 Labor members, 11 Country Liberal members, two independents and Ms Anderson, who has yet to reveal if she will join the Opposition, or sit as an independent.