Comments on: NT Labor may yet survive

By: Tel_

Tel_ — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:24:36 +0000

An immediate election would not only cost almost $2 million but result in 6 weeks or so of effectively paralysed government,

Ahhh, the most effective kind of government (from an economic point of view).

Essentially Hendo remains CM in name only and the Cabinet only nominally in charge: Gerry Wood has achieved an agreement with the CM to implement his wish list of pet projects and an effective veto on future legislation and programmes. If you want to get something done in the NT youll need Gerrys approval. Its the most extraordinary thing Ive seen in 40 years as a close political observer.

One presumes that NT Labor aren’t too confident about facing the voting citizens right now. Dare I say, it almost seems like having bums of seats might be more important than providing representation for their constituents. That said, if one man wants to shoulder the hard task of governing leaving the rest of them to walk around feeling just as important as before, but with a lot less responsibility… then seems like a win/win deal all round.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:06:04 +0000

I wonder if Hendo ran this past the caucus?

And as for this being the “most stable” option … yeah right.

By: Ken Parish

Ken Parish — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:51:18 +0000

Yes that’s correct Jacques, though Gerry Wood’s price was more extensive than you suggest. Not only must Henderson remain CM (an extraordinary provision in itself in an agreement between Henderson and an Independent MLA – Hendo was the only MLA on either side who looked happy during this morning’s debate), but the agreement effectively provides that the streets of Howard Springs and Humpty Doo must be paved with gold immediately. It also sets up a 5 MLA “bipartisan” parliamentary committee consisting of Gerry Wood and 2 CLP and 2 ALP MLAs which will have the function/power of reviewing all government programmes, holding inquiries, summoning witnesses, and broad right of access to government documents – in other words the Spanish Inquisition chaired by Inquisitor Gerry!!!

Essentially Hendo remains CM in name only and the Cabinet only nominally in charge: Gerry Wood has achieved an agreement with the CM to implement his wish list of pet projects and an effective veto on future legislation and programmes. If you want to get something done in the NT you’ll need Gerry’s approval. It’s the most extraordinary thing I’ve seen in 40 years as a close political observer.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:46:57 +0000

It looks like it’s all over — NT News and ABC both report that Woods will support Labor in exchange for various concessions. He wants a bipartisan committee to sit on various planning issues, some changes to parliamentary procedure and more funds services and facilities for his electorate.

He’s also warned that if anyone else quits Labor, or if anyone in Labor challenges Henderson for the top job, the deal will be off.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:01:23 +0000

I’m pretty sure he got offered ministries by both sides. Apparently the CLP offered Lands and Planning, which are a topic Woods has frequently raised.

By: James Farrell

James Farrell — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:15:33 +0000

I know nothing about Wood other what I’ve read above, but could he be holding out for an offer of a ministry from one side?

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:26:46 +0000

You might be right. Gerry Woods is a thoughtful man underneath his just-a-bush-bumpkin shtick. But I’m not sure if that leaves Hendo in a very good place. He’s back to relying on Scymgour, who has herself already proved to be high strung too. And who knows what Hampton and McCarthy might do in the next 3 years.