NT Government names Peter Chandler as new deputy, replacing Dave Tollner after gay slur controversy (ABC)

ABC Peter Chandler was elected the new Deputy Chief Minister.

The NT Government has named Peter Chandler as its new deputy to replace Dave Tollner, who resigned from the position amid a gay slur controversy.

Mr Chandler, the current Minister for Education and Lands, Planning and the Environment, was voted in at Monday night's CLP Parliamentary Wing meeting at Parliament House.

Chief Minister Adam Giles also threw open his own position and was elected unopposed.

He said Mr Tollner had abstained from the meeting and was "tired".

"We all know the life, the role as a public figure in a political environment particularly holding some of the portfolios Dave did, you do get tired after a while.

"Quite clearly, Dave wants a rest and he is going to have a rest."

It is expected Mr Giles would hold on to the Treasury portfolio previously held by Mr Tollner.

Mr Giles refused to say whether he would reinstate Mr Tollner to a front bench position upon his return.

Mr Tollner's profile has been removed from the NT Government's Chief Minister and Cabinet page.

In the lead up to tonight's meeting, Mr Tollner had foreshadowed a possible defection from the party if he was not reinstated after he resigned his position as Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer when members of his own party leaked a private conversation during which Mr Tollner called a staffer a "shirt lifter" and a "pillow biter".

"Look I wasn't getting any support from my colleagues and under those circumstances I thought there was no other option," he said last week.

Mr Chandler — a former dog handler for the RAAF and Darwin City Council — was elected in the Palmerston seat of Brennan in 2008.

In a statement Mr Giles welcomed Mr Chandler as deputy, calling him a "unifying and calming influence".

"I am proud to welcome Peter Chandler as my new deputy. I can also confirm that I threw my own position open and was re-elected as Leader unopposed," Mr Giles said.

"Peter Chandler is an excellent local member, Planning and Education Minister who will be a great asset in the deputy's position.

"I know he will bring a steady hand to the leadership team as we get on with delivering jobs and economic growth for Territorians."

Mr Chandler said it was a "great honour to be chosen" by his colleagues.

"I am very proud to have been elected by the Parliamentary Wing to this leadership position," he said.

"I look forward to working with the Chief Minister as we focus on the issues that matter to Territorians — driving down the cost of living, developing Northern Australia, improving our education system and keeping our streets safe."

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