NT Administrator David Connolly has issued an apology for his past social media posts, which he claimed again he did not intend to cause offence with, but stopped short of addressing other comments he has made and positions he has taken against Indigenous Territorians.

Mr Connolly issued the statement late Wednesday night through Government House, which marks the second statement he has made following controversy over his appointment to the role, with the first statement more than a month ago stopping short of an apology.

But the late apology, which comes just before he is due to be sworn in by the Governor-General on Friday morning, has been rejected by many, including Indigenous politicians, as “disingenuous”.

“I deeply regret the past social media posts I made; I never intended to cause offence,” Mr Connolly said in the statement Wednesday night.

“I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community. These posts are no reflection of my personal core values.

“I understand the responsibilities that come with my role as Administrator of the Northern Territory, it is the greatest honour of my life to be sworn in on Friday. I am committed to upholding the standards the community rightly expects.”

Mr Connolly did not address public comments he has made in speeches while head of the NT Cattlemen’s Association, including negative comments about environmentalists, the Voice referendum and the NT’s efforts to establish a treaty with First Nations people. He also said in a 2024 speech that the “main group of people” committing crimes in the NT “have been in Australia for 60,000 years”.

The apology statement was issued just hours after NLC chairman Matthew Ryan and independent Member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula said Mr Connolly would not be welcome in remote communities.

Mr Guyula told the NT Independent the last-minute apology does not change anything and that Mr Connolly should take proper steps to learn about Indigenous culture “rather than making judgments from the outside”.

“I believe if the apology was genuine it would have come long ago and it would have come with a clear explanation,” he said.

“It’s going to take a lot more than a last-minute apology for people to believe he has changed. He has a clear record that everyone can see of being offensive.

“He was the wrong choice for the position. He should not be sworn in, and elders on country have the right to say he’s not welcome until he’s proven that he no longer has these racist opinions about our people. The apology doesn’t change anything at this time.”

Mr Connolly issued his first statement on the offensive social media comments on January 19, in which he offered no apology, stating again that he did not intend to cause offence and that the posts were made before “the honour and privilege of being the Administrator was not even in my wildest dreams”.

Opposition Labor Leader Selena Uibo said the new apology is “hard to accept as genuine” given that it was issued two days before the swearing-in “after weeks of silence”.

“This reads less like a reflection and more like a response to pressure once the controversy became unavoidable,” she said.

“The real issue has always been Lia Finocchiaro’s judgement. She has deliberately chosen to proceed with this appointment knowing the concerns have been raised from across the Territory community.”

“This was Lia Finocchiaro’s deliberate decision, and the CLP cannot step away from the responsibility that comes with this appointment.”

Governor-General Sam Mostyn told ABC Radio Darwin Monday morning that she had spoken to Mr Connolly about the “restraint required” for the role.

“I think he understands, going into this role, that he has to be a very different person in the role than he might have been before, and anyone stepping into vice regal roles actually learns that,” she said.

Federal Labor Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said Mr Connolly’s late apology is not enough to fix the damage and hurt he has caused.

“I think it’s a bit disingenuous. I think if this was genuinely sorry, he would have fronted the media and he would have faced people,” she told Mix 104.9. “I mean, anyone can issue a media statement and say, look, I’m deeply sorry.”

Ms Scrymgour said in a statement later that Mr Connolly was an “appalling” pick as Administrator and was “not fit” for the role.

“His social media comments attacking Indigenous Australians, mocking domestic violence victim survivors, the sexualisation of female athletes and multiple vulgar references are not those of a suitable for the high office of Administrator,” she said. “His offensive comments and opinions show a complete disconnect with the Northern Territory community.”

Prominent local barrister John Lawrence was also on Mix 104.9 Thursday morning, questioning Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s judgment in selecting Mr Connolly for the role.

“[There] has to be that responsible judgment and this is a big mistake made by the Chief Minister and her advisor,” he said.

“This is a deliberate breach from the normal conventions, and that has been shown now to be an error. It’s a mistake, it’s a judgment found wanting, and that may well come back politically.”

Mr Connolly concluded his statement by saying his “actions moving forward will demonstrate genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians”, adding that his “energy” will now be focused on “fulfilling my commission and the duties of office”.

On Wednesday, a group of prominent Territorians shared an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling on him to revoke the appointment. The letter was signed by groups including the Country Women’s Association NT, the NLC, and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT, which described Mr Connolly’s commentary as sexist, racist, transphobic, homophobic and bigoted.

A planned protest of the swearing-in of Mr Connolly on Friday at Parliament House was shut down by Speaker Robyn Lambley, but it appears a rally will be held at an alternative location.