Northern Territory MLA Ken Vowles has quit Parliament and taken a parting shot at the NT Government for exiling him.
Mr Vowles announced this evening that he would be stepping away from his position as Member for Johnston on January 31, 2020.
Mr Vowles was sacked from the NT Labor party caucus after he publicly criticised Chief Minister Michael Gunner and the NT Government's economic management before Christmas last year.
He was minister for Aboriginal affairs and primary industry and resources.
'It could be any one of you next'
Since then, he has remained a backbench member for Labor, frozen out of caucus, with speculation he would not run again at next year's August election.
"We were all inducted under the variations of mantras that one person isn't bigger than the party," Mr Vowles said in his speech this evening.
"And in fact … that sentiment has been used throughout the Labor history, to tap former leaders on the shoulder.
"But that message has fallen by the wayside, and replaced with 'disunity is death'.
"Which translates to, in Territory politics, 'obey me, or else'. And it could be any one of you next."
Vowles accuses colleagues of 'wilful blindness'
Mr Vowles levelled strong criticisms at his Labor colleagues, stating that in the 12 months since he was "shut out" of Cabinet he had found it increasingly difficult to help the people in his electorate.
"The events that resulted in this uncoupling were well-documented and don't require rehashing," he said.
"However, it wouldn't be me if I didn't at least attempt to have the final word or speak my mind on the way out.
"There is no mistake that proper caucus processes were not followed.
"My own colleagues put their own careers at risk with a wilful blindness."
Mr Vowles has been an MP since 2012, in both government and opposition, for three different leaders: Paul Henderson, Delia Lawrie and Michael Gunner.
"There will be no prizes in guessing how I rank them," Mr Vowles said.
In his parting speech, Mr Vowles spoke of his disappointment over his sacking for voicing his criticism to the media.
"When the true state of the Territory economy came to light in December last year, I along with many other Territorians hoped that by revealing the truth there would be real actions to make improvements," he said.
"But regardless of the creative accounting and creative spin that hope has now diminished for me and for many of the community members that speak to me daily."
An NT Electoral Commission spokesperson has told the ABC that Mr Vowles's departure could trigger a by-election.
The Chief Minister's office has been contacted for comment.
