The Northern Territory's Chief Minister says dumped minister Alison Anderson has an opportunity to play a role in Tony Abbott's new government. Picture: Justin Brierty Source: News Limited
The Northern Territory's Chief Minister has flagged a potential federal role for Alison Anderson, the Aboriginal minister he has dumped from cabinet.
As the new NT cabinet was sworn in on Tuesday, Adam Giles said there was an opportunity for Ms Anderson to work in a relationship-building role between the NT and Canberra.
"There's a big opportunity for Alison (to) represent the NT, particularly around business issues working with the new prime minister, Tony Abbott," he told reporters.
"I look forward to that, should she wish to take that opportunity up."
Mr Giles says he's spoken to Mr Abbott who is very impressed with Ms Anderson.
But he said he was not sure if she would be offered a spot on Mr Abbott's new Indigenous Advisory Council.
Ms Anderson held four portfolios - Children and Families, Regional Development, Local Government, and Women's Policy.
But she has been stripped of all of them and sent to the backbench.
"I've always enjoyed working with Alison, she's always been a friend and I look forward to opportunities working with her into the future," Mr Giles said.
"With any friendship or relationship there's always challenges, but I really respect and admire the relationship we've always had, and that will continue."
He sacked Ms Anderson on Monday, two weeks after saying rumours she was on the way out were "all fiction".
Tension has simmered between the two for six months since Mr Giles rolled the former chief minister Terry Mills for leadership of the Country Liberals, which Ms Anderson opposed.
She accused him of behaving like a "little boy" and threatened to leave the party and take bush members Bess Price, Larissa Lee and Francis Xavier with her if Mr Giles pursued the Chief Ministership, which he successfully did with the bush members' support a week later.
The two also clashed over the appointment of a CEO for the Department of Children and Families, which now has its fourth leader and third minister in less than a year.
Mr Giles played down suggestions of dysfunction, and said that after a year which has seen two chief ministers, five Cabinets and multiple departmental changes, things would stabilise.
"This is our team for the next three years - of course, if things need to change, they'll change."
Ms Price thanked Ms Anderson, who she has replaced as Minister for Women's Policy.
"She encouraged me to step up and think about getting into politics," she said.
"She wanted me to speak on behalf of our people out in the bush so I thank her for that."
AAP nv/pmu
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