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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

NT politician Manuel Brown dumped as opposition whip after speeding saga

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Northern Territory Labor MLA Manuel Brown has been removed as opposition whip due to controversy over speeding infringements and underage children driving his vehicle.
  • Opposition leader Selena Uibo stated the decision was effective immediately, citing the inappropriateness of Brown continuing in the role.
  • The controversy includes multiple speeding fines, a previous conviction for driving without due care after a fatal crash, and allowing his underage children to drive his personal car.

Northern Territory Labor MLA Manuel Brown has been removed from his position as opposition whip following weeks of controversy surrounding his driving record and the use of his vehicle. Territory Labor leader Selena Uibo announced the decision Tuesday morning, stating it was effective immediately.

The role of opposition whip is an important position within the parliamentary Labor team.

— Selena UiboExplaining the significance of the position from which Manuel Brown was removed.

"The role of opposition whip is an important position within the parliamentary Labor team," Uibo said in a statement. "Given the matters that have been raised, I do not believe it is appropriate for Mr Brown to continue in that role."

The whip's role involves preparing party representatives for parliamentary sessions and ensuring they vote according to party lines. The position comes with an additional $27,000 annual allowance on top of the MLA salary. Brown also holds nine portfolios in Labor's shadow ministry, though he had considered resigning from these roles.

Given the matters that have been raised, I do not believe it is appropriate for Mr Brown to continue in that role.

— Selena UiboStating the reason for removing Manuel Brown as opposition whip.

Controversy erupted late last month when it emerged that Brown's license was suspended for three months last October for multiple speeding offenses. He was reportedly caught speeding again after regaining his license. Last week, Brown admitted to letting his underage son drive his personal car at an outstation in Arnhem Land. This admission followed an earlier media inquiry where he denied his child had ever driven his taxpayer-funded vehicle. He later clarified that two children, aged 12 and 14, had driven his car at the outstation, and he had posted a video of the 12-year-old driving on Facebook to "celebrate his successes on changing gears."

at no stage has my child ever driven my taxpayer-funded vehicle

— Manuel BrownHis earlier response to media inquiries about his child driving.

Adding to the controversy, Brown confirmed he had claimed a nightly $450 travel allowance while staying at his own house in Palmerston, despite the allowance being intended for politicians living outside the Greater Darwin region when staying in Darwin. These driving-related issues come years after Brown was convicted of driving without due care following a fatal crash in 2009 that resulted in a woman's death.

Which is why I've made this decision to strip Manuel from the opposition whip role

— Selena UiboClarifying the specific reason for the immediate removal, referencing the admission of two children driving.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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