Member for Barkly Steve Edgington yesterday announced his resignation from the role of Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

Mr Edgington resigned after The Australian revealed one of his staff had a history of domestic violence charges, even spending time in prison for offences.

Domestic Violence Minister Kate Worden called for Mr Edgington’s resignation after the news hit.

Mr Edgington said would not let a job title distract debate on what is a critical crisis across the Territory.

“I have always been and will continue to be a strong advocate for driving down the shocking rates of domestic family and sexual violence, which have increased by 83 per cent under the last eight years of Labor,” he said in a statement.

“During my time I have been lobbying for the Labor Government to deliver on its prom- ise to develop an integrated and specialist domestic, family and sexual violence hub for Tennant Creek to support women and their children in the Barkly, a promise made on the 23 May 2018 – that remains undelivered, and the return of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Coordinator position in Tennant Creek.

“My constituency is one of the most impacted by Labor’s failure to tackle domestic violence and I will not let anything distract focus from this important issue.”

The new Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence will be taken over by Member for Katherine Jo Hersey.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 22 March 2024.