The Member for Barkly has called the change of Labor Government leadership a dictatorship after he and the Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro were denied permission to visit the Tennant Creek Police Station this week.

The Opposition’s visit coincided with the Territory’s new Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Police Minister Kate Worden’s tour of the Station.

“As part of our Job representing Territorials, all we wanted to do was tour the police station to thank our dedicated police officers and hear about pressing matters in the community,” said Barkly MLA Steve Edgington. “As a former member of the NT Police Force, I find the Labor Government’s behaviour shameful – it’s unprecedented and an absolute disgrace.”

Minister Worden said after being appointed to the portfolio on Monday, it was important to go “out and about” to meet with Territory police officers and listen to them and learn.

“My priority is not whether the Opposition Leader can visit a police station, my priority is visiting our hard-working Police Officers to listen and to learn,” she said.

“In the past 18 months the Leader of the Opposition has visited nine Police Stations.

“I totally respect the position of the shadows in any portfolio to visit government locations.

“I have simply asked for professional courtesy and clear air to allow me to conduct my visits first. “I will continue to allow the Leader of the Opposition to visit Police Stations right across the Northern Territory whenever it’s convenient to do so.”

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 27 May 2022