The Federation Party Northern Territory has named three candidates in Central Australia to run at the Territory election on August 22, with the stated aim of making the red centre “the centre of government focus again”.

Two Alice Springs councillors – Catherine Satour and Marli Banks – will run in the electorates of Namatjira and Braitling respectively, with Kenny Lechleitner selected to run in Gwoya.

Federation Party leader Eli Melky said in a statement the party was committed to protecting the community and “repairing our broken economy”.

“2020 is the make or break year with added pressure of managing the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to be a priority for all Territorians and Australians, the (FPNT) team of Satour, Banks and Lechleitner is well positioned to provide strong and proven leadership,” he said.

It’s unclear if Mr Melky will run this election or in what seat.

The Federation Party NT was registered in February 2019, which was formerly known as the Australian Country Party.

According to its website, the party is “a growing federation of current and former political parties that are joining together to represent the needs of all Australians” with a focus on “remov[ing] the divisive political class that turns Australian against Australian to achieve their own ends.”

Ms Satour is an Alice Springs town councillor and a local musician with a background in business administration and the arts and experience in social and community issues.

“I am proud of my contribution in Alice Springs Town Council, the highlight being part of the leadership managing COVID 19 while delivering a budget with a zero-rate rise for the next financial year,” she said. “I am also proud to have led with support the raising the Aboriginal flag on Anzac Hill.”

She will face already declared Namatjira candidates Sheralee Taylor for the ALP, Bill Yan for the CLP and fellow Alice Springs town councillor Matt Paterson for Territory Alliance.

Ms Banks, the other councillor seeking a seat in NT Parliament, is a businesswoman with experience in tourism, retail and sports betting who said she was committed to opposing compulsory acquisition of Anzac Oval for the proposed art gallery.

“Our community needs an urgent refresh of leadership that will make sure your voice is heard in Parliament and that decisions are made in the best interest of our community,” she said. “The motivation behind my decision to run at the next NT Elections for the Seat of Braitling, comes from the frustration of dealing with the poor decisions and unacceptable neglect of our town by this government”. 

She will face a crowded field in Braitling, including Labor incumbent Dale Wakefield, former Labor-turned-independent Scott McConnell, Territory Alliance’s Dale McIver, the CLP’s Josh Burgoyne and independent Kim Hopper.

Kenny Japangardi Lechleitner will carry the party’s banner in Gwoya. The statement said he had many years of working with communities and wants to drive “regional economic change for the bush”.

“The Communities of Gwoya need an inclusive educational pathway to higher learning for our young people and I would love to see real rehabilitation for our people in correctional services.” 

He will face Chansey Paech of the ALP and Philip Alice of the CLP.