Speaker not able to justify decision
SPEAKER Ngaree Ah Kit has continued to evade questions as to why she has barred the public and press from attending sessions of NT parliament.
Breaking her silence more than 48 hours after being contacted for comment by the NT News, Ms Ah Kit cited a vague “risk assessment” as the reason behind the closure.
Her decision to ban journalists is an unprecedented step, given press galleries have remained open in Canberra throughout the pandemic.
“I am mindful to take the necessary precautions to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infection to elected members and staff working in the chamber during our meetings, as we spend a considerable amount of time together on sitting days,” Ms Ah Kit said.
“While I understand that the closure of public galleries has caused some inconvenience, I will continue to do all I can to keep elected members and staff working in the chamber as safe as possible during our meetings.”
She did not address the decision around the press gallery, despite being directly questioned on the move by the NT News.
Ms Ah Kit was elected to the seat of Karama for the Labor Party in 2016.
Before becoming Speaker, she was an assistant minister under Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
The decision has sparked considerable concern from the Opposition.
CLP spokeswoman MarieClare Boothby on Friday said the decision would have a detrimental impact on government transparency.
Former speaker Kezia Purick said she would not have closed the galleries if she still held the chair.
“The media gallery in particular, which is behind the Speaker’s chair, is huge,” Ms Purick told Mix 104.9’s Katie Woolf.
“You could fit 100 people up there.”