‘Firm whack to the face’: Fyles left with blackened eye

Neve Brissenden | September 25, 2023

Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has been left with a slightly blackened eye after a cream-covered crepe was shoved in her face at a Darwin market.

The territory leader fronted the media on Monday afternoon with a faint mark under her left eye, saying she won’t be deterred from doing her job.

“It was a pretty firm whack to the face but I’m OK as you can see,” she said.

“I will be getting checked out by a medical team just to make sure. I was in a little bit of discomfort yesterday and this morning.

“I’m back at work and I’ll get on with it.”

Footage shared by Nine News on social media showed a woman rushing towards Ms Fyles as she left a bank on Sunday and shoving what was described as a whipped cream crepe into her face.

NT police charged a 56-year-old woman with aggravated assault on Monday. She was bailed to appear in court on October 10.

Ms Fyles said she welcomed respectful debate with those who disagreed with her but violence was never acceptable.

NT police said they were working with the government and the minister’s team on security measures.

This is the second incident involving the NT leader this year after she was left distressed after being confronted by anti-fracking protesters while taking part in a trail running event in May.