Nicole Manison remains deputy chief minister of Northern Territory as Scott Morrison decrying Labor ‘instability’ in Darwin

The Northern Territory’s new Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, has taken her second in command, with current Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison to remain in the role.

Most important points:

After Michael Gunner’s resignation, Nicole Manison remains deputy chief minister of the Northern Territory. New chief minister Natasha Fyles announced on social media while Scott Morrison was in Darwin. The prime minister accused Mrs. Fyles’ government of “instability” this morning

“Nicole and I have known each other for a long time,”.Ms. Fyles announced on social media.

Colleagues, for almost ten years, we have seen each other through five children and stayed together through the best and worst times.

“It is a privilege to have her by my side.

“We said stability was key, which we will continue to provide.”

The news came a week after the resignation of the area’s former prime minister, Michael Gunner, who resigned during a budget speech and said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Nicole Manison has held the deputy leadership position for the past several years. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Health Minister Natasha Fyles replaced him after a caucus vote on Friday.

Ms. Fyles has repeatedly said the vote was unanimous and has toned down any suggestion of instability in her ranks.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison was asked at a news conference this morning whether she expected to continue as Deputy Chief Minister.

“I’ll raise my hand,” said Mrs. Manison.

“I have shown that I am a very committed, hard-working Member of Parliament, [who] loves the Northern Territory and is always a good strong team player.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nicole Manison has denied the Prime Minister’s suggestion of instability in Labor ranks in the area. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Ms. Fyles said the rest of her new cabinet would be announced after this week’s parliamentary sittings.

Coinciding with the change of prime minister was the departure of high-level political advisers and allies to Mr. Gunner, including the resignation of his chief of staff, Emily Beresford-Cane, and his head of communications, Maria Billias.

The announcement of Ms. Fyles’ deputy came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Top End to accuse the Northern Territory’s Labor government of a lack of stability.

“We have too much instability here in the area,” Morrison said Monday morning.

The prime minister tried to link the changes in the territory’s government to the perception of a growing crime crisis in the area.

“We have more changes here; we have serious public order issues throughout the area… We want the area to be safe,” he said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has announced Nicole Manison as her deputy. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Just days before the federal election, Morrison was in Darwin with coalition candidates Damien Ryan and Tina MacFarlane, chasing the area’s two fringe national lower house seats, Lingiari and Solomon.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was also in the Northern Territory today to prepare a funding announcement in Alice Springs.