The Gunner Government was reluctant to promote its financial backing of a new venue at the Darwin Turf Club because the facility was "very gambling and poker machine-oriented", Freedom of Information documents obtained by the ABC show.
In July 2018, Treasurer Nicole Manison agreed to extend a taxpayer-backed guarantee worth $3.5 million so the turf club could secure a bank loan to build a sports and gaming venue known as Silks.
Three months later, the turf club's chairman sent the Chief Minister's then-chief of staff, Alf Leonardi, a draft members' update about how plans for the Silks project were proceeding.
"Been a long long road but I think we are there!!!" Brett Dixon wrote, asking if the Government wanted to add comments to the update.
The update included references to a "modern spacious gaming room", as well as quotes from Tabcorp, which planned to set up an outlet within Silks.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with the Darwin Turf Club to deliver an exciting punting experience like no other," Tabcorp was quoted as saying.
'We may want to think this through'
But when Mr Leonardi forwarded the draft update to Chief Minister Michael Gunner and other senior staff, he raised the issue of how it might be perceived, given Silks would feature 55 poker machines as well as trackside TAB facilities.
"This club has been guaranteed by the NT," Mr Leonardi wrote.
"However, as it will be very gambling and poker machine-orientated, we may want to think this through."
The Government’s director of communications, Maria Billias, responded, saying: "I don't necessarily mind it from a construction/jobs perspective."
It is not known what — if any — comments the Government provided to the turf club for the members' update.
However, the Government never issued a media release about its decision to approve the loan guarantee extension.
'There is no 'mini-casino'
Mr Leonardi, who was replaced as the Chief Minister's chief of staff in August last year, declined to comment to the ABC.
But a spokesperson said the Gunner Government had no issue with being associated with gambling.
However, several FOI documents indicate a tendency to distance itself from the potential negative impacts of gambling associated with some of the venues it has supported.
In August 2019, a "hot issue" brief was prepared for Attorney-General Natasha Fyles to deflect ongoing criticism over the Government's decision to provide a previously-unbudgeted $12 million grant to the turf club for a new grandstand, in addition to the loan guarantee for Silks.
The main dot point in the brief stated: "There is no 'mini-casino' being developed at the Darwin Turf Club."
The brief also pointed out Silks would have had fewer poker machines had it not been for the previous CLP Government's decision to increase the cap from 45 to 55.
A separate FOI document showed the Government removed draft references to "corporate bookmaking" from its final response to a series of Questions on Notice from the Opposition about Silks.
Despite the Government's apparent reluctance to publicly promote gambling activities in venues that have received its support, Labor has trumpeted its efforts in trying to combat problem gambling.
In a press release issued one month before it approved the Silks guarantee, Ms Fyles announced the Government was reducing the community-wide cap on poker machines.
"Many Territorians experience gambling-related harm and every step we can take to minimise that harm is a step in the right direction," she said in June 2018.
