By ERWIN CHLANDA
The Palmer United Party in the NT has lost a third of its Parliamentary wing with the defection of Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu (pictured with Adam Giles) back to the CLP.
Only six days ago, when Treasurer Dave Tollner resigned from the front bench, PUP Leader Alison Anderson said Mr Kurrupuwu declined to take a phone call from Chief Minister Adam Giles because “Francis doesn’t take calls from little kids.”
But today Mr Giles says: “It is a pleasure to have Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu back on the Country Liberals team where he can most effectively serve the people of Arafura and all Territorians.
“I have always said that the door remained open to Mr Kurrupuwu to return and I am very happy to have him back on the Country Liberals team.
“The Government recently received word that Mr Kurrupuwu was unhappy with the lack of support he was receiving and that he was interested in re-joining the Country Liberals.
“Mr Kurrupuwu says he received strong support from constituents in his electorate for him to return to the Government.
“Mr Kurrupuwu officially tendered his resignation from the PUP this afternoon,” says Mr Giles.
“He has subsequently written to the Country Liberal Party asking for his party membership to be reinstated.
“No offers, inducements or incentives were made to Mr Kurrupuwu in exchange for his return. He came to us.”