A conflict management mediator will challenge Labor Minister Joel Bowden for the seat of Johnston at this August’s election, stating that she felt obligated to run after both major parties have failed to offer any “real solutions” to the problems the Territory is currently facing.

Justine Davis, a small business owner who specialises in mediation and conflict management, launched her campaign as an independent candidate with independent ACT Senator David Pocock on Wednesday evening at the Jingili Water Gardens. Mr Pocock who is in town for the Senate hearings into the Middle Arm development was expected to speak about the importance of independent members of Parliament.

Ms Davis said she had heard from residents of Johnston – where she’s lived with her family for 25 years – that people are “feeling disconnected and unsafe, that there is too much conflict and violence, that they can’t afford to live here and they have no trust in the major parties to find solutions to the problems we are facing”.

“I share some of those feelings – but I’m not going to give up. I’ve lived, worked, and raised my family in Johnston for over 25 years. I know our community is diverse, vibrant, warm and kind,” Ms Davis said in a statement.

“There are so many people here who want to create a safe and healthy community. The system might be broken but our community is full of strength, and we can work together to make it right.

“We need Members of Parliament who put people first and will take action and work hard to solve the problems that we face – not just rely on band-aid solutions that do not address the real issues. I’m running for Johnston because the current Labor Government and the CLP have spent decades failing to find real solutions for our communities.”

Ms Davis added that she chose to run as an independent to “act with integrity, instead of defending party politics”.

“My focus will be on working with the community and solving problems,” she said. “As a facilitator and mediator, I have spent years working with different groups, including the police, government agencies, businesses and families, to create genuine long-lasting solutions and bring positive change.”

The electorate of Johnston is made up of the northern Darwin suburbs of Millner, Moil, Jingili and Alawa. Joel Bowden won the seat in 2020 in a two party preferred contest against the CLP 66.5 per cent to 33.5 per cent.

Ms Davis has a law degree and a masters in Indigenous Studies and another in Peace Studies. She has previously worked as an offshore case worker for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and as an anti-bullying project coordinator with the NT Working Women’s Centre. She has also designed and delivered mediation training and on-country peace-making training in remote parts of the NT, across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.