Northern Territory politician Manuel Brown has come under further pressure after questions were raised about his use of a parliamentary travel allowance while staying at a home he owns in Palmerston.
The controversy follows several weeks of scrutiny involving the Arafura MLA, including issues relating to speeding offences, his licence suspension, and the revelation that his underage children had driven his personal vehicle at an outstation in Arnhem Land.
According to reports, Mr Brown confirmed that he had claimed a nightly $450 travel allowance on occasions when he stayed at his Palmerston property. The allowance is available to Northern Territory politicians who live outside the Greater Darwin area when they stay in Darwin for parliamentary duties, regardless of where they stay.
Mr Brown said his primary residence was in Jabiru, but explained that he spent significant time at his Palmerston home. He stated that claiming the allowance was not illegal and that he had followed the rules as they were provided.
However, NT Government Minister Robyn Cahill questioned whether the allowance should have been claimed when Mr Brown was staying at a property he owned. She argued that the purpose of the allowance was to help cover accommodation and related costs for politicians required to travel for parliamentary duties.
The issue adds to existing pressure on Mr Brown’s political position. NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo removed him from his role as opposition whip, saying the position required trust and that recent matters made it inappropriate for him to continue in the role.
The opposition whip role involves helping coordinate party members during parliamentary sittings and ensuring representatives understand voting arrangements. The position also carries an additional parliamentary payment on top of an MLA salary.
Mr Brown has also faced criticism after admitting that his children, aged 12 and 14, had driven his personal vehicle at a remote outstation. Earlier comments to media had stated that his child had not driven his taxpayer-funded vehicle, but he later clarified that the vehicle involved was his private car.
The politician has also acknowledged multiple speeding offences between 2023 and 2025, including a further offence after his licence was reinstated following a suspension. His driving history has attracted additional attention because of a previous conviction for driving without due care following a fatal crash in 2009.
The travel allowance issue is expected to remain under political scrutiny as questions continue about parliamentary expenses, transparency and accountability for elected representatives.
