‘Absolute disgrace’ – Chief minister slammed for missing Garma

NT Opposition leader Selena Uibo has said it is an “absolute disgrace” NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro will not be attending the Garma festival this weekend.

Ms Uibo said in in doing so she was “completely turning her back” on “a third of the Territory’s population.”

Liberal leader Sussan Ley is also a non-attendee at the event in Arnhem Land.

“Garma is the premier event on the national scale when it comes to First Nations affairs in Australia,” Ms Uibo told the ABC.

“We have seen chief ministers, prime ministers … attend that forum.

“I know there will be five Federal Labor ministers who will be at Garma this year. I’m attending in my capacity as the Opposition leader in the Northern Territory.

“We are not going to see the NT’s chief minister Lia Finaocciaro, which I think is an absolute disgrace when it comes to asking the questions and setting the policies around Aboriginal affairs in the Northern Territory.

“That needs to come from the leadership, from the chief minister of the day and Lia Finaocciaro is completely turning her back on that. … a third of the Territory’s population.”