A new video showing NT Administrator David Connolly manhandling anti-fracking activist and current independent Nightcliff candidate Phil Scott at a business conference in 2023, leading to a violent shove and water allegedly thrown in Mr Scott’s face, has been described as “deeply disturbing” and conduct unbecoming of an Administrator.
While the incident involving Mr Scott’s physical assault at the conference was reported last year, it was not made public the man pushing him was Mr Connolly, who was attending the Developing Northern Australia conference in his then-role as president of the Cattlemen’s Association at the Darwin Convention Centre in July 2023.
Mr Connolly is due to be sworn in as NT Administrator by Governor-General Sam Mostyn on Friday at Parliament House, after already moving into Government House earlier this month and starting to collect the $377,000 salary, but the latest video has one independent MLA asking how he can still be officially sworn in while engaging in “physical violence” and setting a poor example for young men in the Territory.
His vice-regal appointment representing the King in the Northern Territory has already drawn widespread public outrage due to his now deleted racist and sexist social media posts and further public speeches between 2022 and 2024, in which he mocked and villainised Indigenous Territorians, joked about domestic violence and made various disparaging remarks about women and transgender people.
The new video released by Mr Scott to media on Wednesday depicts a fuller perspective than the distant video reported by Sky News last April, showing the confrontation from an up-close perspective, which started when Mr Scott took to the stage to protest.
In it, Mr Scott, who has stated he paid $1800 for a ticket to attend the conference and was given the microphone to speak despite not being on the speakers list, can be seen speaking near the podium while Mr Connolly grabs his shoulder and pushes him by his back to the front of the stage before angrily shoving Mr Scott, who lurched forward, while still reading his speech.
Another man then intervenes and puts his hand on Mr Scott’s back but does not apply force while Mr Scott continues to read his anti-fracking speech to the conference delegates.
A flash occurs off camera and Mr Scott is then sprayed in the face with a large dose of water, which he alleges Mr Connolly threw at him.
The shove and the throwing of water in Mr Scott’s face could be classified as assault under the NT Criminal Code, according to lawyers who have seen the video.
The Sky News footage aired last year shows security later removing Mr Scott from the stage, as well as another protester.
Mr Scott said he contacted a lawyer at the time of the alleged assault but chose not to pursue charges.
“I tell my kids it’s important to stand up to bullies. I did so that day by not retaliating, by retaining my dignity and self-restraint,” he said. “I value those things.”
He said he was releasing the video now because he recently obtained the new footage following inquiries from other journalists.
He said he assumed the public knew Mr Connolly had pushed him, but it wasn’t until recently that journalists had asked him to confirm Mr Connolly’s involvement.
“This is what these guys do, they try to push the little people around and throw water in our faces,” Mr Scott said about the incident.
“I’ll always stand up to violence and aggression in all its forms and to people like him because they’ll throw water in all of our faces if we let them.
“I made no physical contact with anyone other than a handshake with Mr Connolly before speaking.
“[This] is about whether the standards Territorians expect of their representatives are being upheld. The Administrator has a responsibility to promote unity and social cohesion. It’s a position that requires restraint, dignity and respect for constitutional convention.”
Independent Member for Johnston Justine Davis, a vocal critic of Mr Connolly’s appointment, said the new video footage of the incoming Administrator allegedly assaulting someone in public was “deeply disturbing”.
“How can we ask our young people, especially young men, to show respect, to manage their emotions, and to walk away from violence, when our government is appointing someone to a position of such authority who cannot model the same standard?” Ms Davis said.
“We have already seen Mr Connolly’s statements degrading women and mocking domestic violence. Now we are confronted with footage of him engaging in physical violence.
“To proceed with this appointment in the face of this behaviour is deeply concerning. The Chief Minister still has the opportunity – and the responsibility – to respond to Territorians’ concerns. If she proceeds with David Connolly’s appointment, she will show Territorians she is not willing to listen to them.”
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s office did not respond to questions about the new video, including what the ramifications would be if Mr Connolly is charged with assault while Administrator.
The NT Independent also sent questions to the Administrator’s Office and Mr Connolly’s personal lawyer on Wednesday but received no response.
Mr Connolly will be officially sworn in as Administrator on Friday morning at Parliament House in a closed ceremony that will see the precinct in lockdown between 7:00am and 11:00am.
Unfortunately, in the NT, the ability to speak freely and express viewpoints that differ from those of the political elite appears to have diminished. Both the previous Labor government and the current CLP government have shown a troubling disregard for the people they were elected to represent. It is encouraging, however, to see new parties and independent candidates stepping forward to challenge this dynamic and restore the principle that elected officials are representatives of the people—not their masters.
THIS IS ACOMMENT MADE UP BY SOME CLOWN. IT IS NOT ME.pETER cAVANAGH
Peter Cavanagh, My real comment would be I think all Greens like Scott and independents are a blight on politics that do nothing for their electorates except hinder development, and because they are so beloved by the media, they get massive coverage that helps them immensely, if Nighcliffe is foolish enough to elect this guy they will continue to be the dumping ground for all the problems
I think you may have me mistaken for someone else. And I suspect you’d find that even Greens supporters would concede they have little chance of leading anything beyond a sausage sizzle.
I’ve been a long-time supporter of the CLP and have contributed to the party, but I’m among a large cohort of fed-up voters whose support will now shift to One Nation.
Well said Peter. Here here
This is even more shocking than the disgusting diatribes Connelly rage-posted. In light of this, how can the CM possibly defend her choice? Expect anyone to “show respect”? Charge him NOW!
So thats it, the Nightcliff by election for independent Nightcliff candidate Phil Scott is over.
Who wants to vote for a b@t sh1t crazy activist??
Really? Storming a conference and throwing water in the face of a presenter!
Nightcliff should consider voting in the CLP candidate and get a voice at the table of the current government!
(I dont like the choice of a Lawyer representing Green Looney Nightcliff including parts of Housing Commission Coconut Grove, but hey thats the only warm body with a pulse that put his hand up.)
There is no talk of voting for Labour, the last 2 terms of the ALP are indescribable.
The Greens proved they are good at b@t sh1t crazy activism but when it comes to the boring work of being a non CLP MLA, its too boring, or worse, too mentally taxing!
The independents, such as in Milner with Independent MLA Justine Davis , or in Nightcliff with Greens Kat McNamara, have accomplished diddly squat for the electorate!
Food for thought!
Ohh Connoly threw the water! Oh well! I would too!
Where does Phil Scott get all this money from? I thought he was a full-time protester…
“Phil Scott, the Climate 200-backed candidate in the Northern Territory seat of Solomon, was filmed being escorted by security guards from the stage at the Developing Northern Australia Conference held at the Darwin Convention Centre in July 2023.
When asked about the incident, Mr Scott told Sky News he had acted appropriately at all times and had received an apology from the Darwin Convention Centre for the way he was treated.”
-SKY NEWS
“An independent candidate in Darwin says he has been “completely open” about his anti-fracking activism background, despite his prior role in Frack Free NT and protest history not being mentioned in campaign material.” -ABC
How embarrassing for Phil Scott. Well done Mr Connoly, we shouldn’t have to put up with protesters at events like that.
This is exactly the kind of Adminsitrator we need in the NT!
Great to see this happen ing to theses wankers who protest to everything that is progress for the country
There is precedent for an Administrator deal with an activist far more robustly than this – in Sydney no less. Short memories.
The actions of the incoming NT Administrator highlights to me that the Northern Territory is a substandard embarrassing jurisdiction where excellence rarely prevails, let alone mediocrity. We need to raise the standards but I am not confident this will happen anytime soon.
What else was Connelly meant to do. Scott was not going anywhere. At least activist Phil Scott had is clothes on unlike a prior public demonsration.