ABC News: Michael Franchi
)The NT Chief Minister's office has refused a freedom of information (FOI) request relating to its handling of claims about Labor MLA Mark Turner, on the grounds it could prejudice an active investigation by the anti-corruption watchdog.
In Parliament last week, Michael Gunner tabled a letter from the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, confirming ICAC had launched a probe into a matter involving the Member for Blain.
The ICAC did not disclose the nature of its investigation but said it needed parliament's approval to access the contents of three mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Mr Turner.
Following the confirmation of ICAC's probe, an information officer in the Chief Minister's office ruled it would not be in the public interest to approve an FOI request made by the ABC in February.
Under the Information Act, access to information is exempt if the disclosure could prejudice an investigation into a possible breach of the law.
Supplied: Facebook
)The ABC submitted the FOI request on February 19 — one day after Mr Gunner announced that the Member for Blain had been expelled from the Labor caucus.
The Chief Minister told parliament on February 18 that Mr Turner had lost the trust of colleagues because he had not been transparent about the nature of his "friendship" with a woman.
"I don't believe that the Member for Blain was completely forthcoming with me or his colleagues about the extent of his friendship with the private citizen in question," Mr Gunner said in parliament at the time.
ABC News: Terry McDonald
)Mr Turner's connection to the woman had been the subject of significant media scrutiny in the preceding days.
The coverage, in addition to questions from the CLP opposition, prompted the Member for Blain to disclose in parliament on February 17 that some aspects of his "consensual" friendship were "not appropriate" because they were "too intimate".
As part of his speech that day, Mr Turner said he did not condone nor participate in any illegal activity.
Several days later, the Chief Minister — who was under significant pressure over his handling of the saga — sent text message conversions allegedly between Mr Turner and the woman to ICAC.
The messages, published in the NT News, reportedly involved the discussion of alleged cocaine use by the woman, but not by Mr Turner.
Labor's administrative committee allowed Mr Turner to retain his party membership in a vote earlier this month.
The ABC contacted Mr Turner and his office for comment but did not receive a response.
