NT politician Manuel Brown dumped as opposition whip after speeding saga

The Northern Territory opposition leader has dumped Labor MLA Manuel Brown from his role as opposition whip following weeks of controversy over speeding infringements and underage children driving his vehicle.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Territory Labor leader Selena Uibo said she had made the decision to remove Mr Brown from the opposition whip position "effective immediately".

"The role of opposition whip is an important position within the parliamentary Labor team," the statement said.

"Given the matters that have been raised, I do not believe it is appropriate for Mr Brown to continue in that role."

The whip is a member of parliament chosen by their party to prepare the rest of its representatives for parliamentary sitting weeks and ensure they each know how to vote in line with the party.

The opposition whip is paid $27,000 for holding the role, on top of a $180,000 MLA salary.

Mr Brown also holds nine portfolios in Labor's shadow ministry — though last week he said he was considering resigning from those, pending a meeting about his future with his Labor colleagues.

Weeks of controversy

Late last month, it emerged that Mr Brown had his licence suspended for three months last October for speeding multiple times, and that he had been caught speeding again since regaining his licence.

Then last week, Mr Brown admitted he had let his underage son drive his personal car at an outstation in Arnhem Land.

It came after he was asked by the media the week before if his 14-year-old had gotten behind the wheel of his car, with the MLA replying that "at no stage has my child ever driven my taxpayer-funded vehicle".

Those revelations about his driving history and use of his personal vehicle follow a conviction for driving without due care after a fatal crash that led to the death of a woman in 2009.

At a press conference on Monday, Mr Brown clarified he had let two of his underage children, aged 12 and 14, drive at the outstation.

The Member for Arafura also said he had posted a video of his 12-year-old driving on Facebook because he was "trying to celebrate his successes on changing gears".

Ms Uibo said until yesterday, she was unaware two of Mr Brown's children had driven his car, having initially been told it was only one.

"Which is why I've made this decision to strip Manuel from the opposition whip role," she told Darwin radio station Mix 104.9.

Mr Brown also revealed he had been caught speeding eight times between 2023 and 2025, and that his latest speeding fine had come in 2026.

Travel allowance claimed when staying at home

During the Monday press conference, Mr Brown also confirmed he had been claiming a nightly $450 travel allowance at times when staying at a house he owns in Palmerston.

The allowance is available for NT politicians who live outside the Greater Darwin region when they stay in Darwin, no matter where they stay.

Mr Brown said his main residence was in Jabiru, but he spent about half his time at the Palmerston home.

Asked whether he would refer his travel allowance claims to the speaker for review, Mr Brown said he would not.

"It's not illegal and it's not against the law," he said.

NT government minister Robyn Cahill said Mr Brown should not be claiming the allowance.

"That allowance is to cover accommodation costs, it's to cover vehicle costs and transport costs, and so on," she told Mix 104.9.

"If you own a property and you're living in your property … that is not OK."

Mr Brown also said that when his licence was suspended for three months last year, his electorate officer used his taxpayer-funded car for personal use.

"Oh, absolutely, [to] go to the airport, that sort of stuff," he said.

The NT Department of Legislative Assembly told the ABC people nominated by politicians could use their taxpayer-funded vehicles for private purposes.

Asked about Mr Brown's situation at a press conference in Darwin on Tuesday, Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Mr Brown should resign from parliament completely.

"The conduct of Manuel Brown is disgraceful," she said.

"He should resign entirely and let a by-election take place ... because it's beyond words.

"Sure, it's the Northern Territory, we're the final frontier, cowboy country, but this takes it a step too far."