The NT Independent is providing you with a light-hearted look at the candidates for the August 22 NT general election. We’re not looking at policy or platforms at this time, but rather at the person behind them.
Our Q&A should help you get to know the humans of NT politics.
Today’s profile is CLP candidate for Goyder, Phil Battye.
Phil grew up in the small NSW town Brewarrina before moving to Darwin when he was fourteen. He attended Darwin High School until Year 10 when he started an apprenticeship with Toyota as a mechanic. Phil joined the Darwin Surf Lifesaving Club juniors, which was great for a boy from the bush. He also joined rugby league, rugby union and touch football clubs.
After moving to Humpty Doo, Phil played league for the Litchfield Bears and union for the Swampdogs for thirteen years. Phil has lived in Humpty Doo for 33 years, 28 of those with his partner Tracy Saunders.
He is a small business owner and his work as a welder has taken him all through the NT and Queensland building houses on remote communities and cattle stations.
Phil has run a non-profit hunting competition and family day in Darwin to help in the eradication of feral pigs, wild cats and cane toads.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who did it come from?
“Don’t let your social life interfere with your work.” This was said by my dad.
Tell us something interesting or quirky about yourself.
More interesting than quirky. I’m a big advocate of feral animal control but a sucker for native animals. Our block is home to possums, kookaburras, ibises and curlews, which we feed every night along with our five dogs.
How would your best mate describe you in twenty words or less?
Loyal, always willing to help anyone in any situation at any time if I can, always talking on the phone.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring one movie, one album and one book, what would they be?
Movie: Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott with Russell Crowe
Album: A song I could listen to all day is The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band
Book: Bacon Buster magazine
If you could have dinner with any person in history, who would it be and why?
Not really history, but my Mum because it’s not till they are gone that you realise there are so many things you wanted to ask.
A couple of really quick questions. You can give one word answers if you wish.
Tea or coffee?
Iced coffee, my kick start for the day.
Folder or scruncher?
Folder.
AFL or NRL?
NRL Rabbitohs
Wet season or dry season?
Dry season
Coles or Woollies?
Wollies, it’s closest to home.
Other candidates
- NT election 2020 candidates – Scott McConnell
- NT election 2020 candidates – Tracey Hayes
- NT election 2020 candidates – Jeff Collins
- NT election 2020 candidates – Tony Schelling
- NT election 2020 candidates – Marie-Clare Boothby
- NT election 2020 candidates – Leanne Butler
- NT election 2020 candidates – Gary Strachan
- NT election 2020 candidates – Kendall Trudgen
- NT election 2020 candidates – Andy Harley
- NT election 2020 candidates – Ngaree Ah Kit
- NT election 2020 candidates – Damien Ryan
- NT election 2020 candidates – Joshua Burgoyne
- NT election 2020 candidates – Kylie Bonanni
- NT election 2020 candidates – Gerard Maley
- NT election 2020 candidates – Jed Hansen
- NT election 2020 candidates – Danial Kelly
- NT election 2020 candidates – Billee McGinley
- NT election 2020 candidates – Matt Paterson
- NT election 2020 candidates – Beverly Ratahi
- NT election 2020 candidates – Caleb Cardno
- NT election 2020 candidates – Jo Hersey
- NT election 2020 candidates – Toby George
- NT election 2020 candidates – Gary Haslett
- NT election 2020 candidates – Dale McIver
- NT election 2020 candidates – Jerry Amato
- NT election 2020 candidates – Melita McKinnon
- NT election 2020 candidates – Melanie Usher
- NT election 2020 candidates – Steve Doherty
- NT election 2020 candidates – Rachael Wright
- NT election 2020 candidates – Rosemary Timber
- NT election 2020 candidates – Brian O’Gallagher
- NT election 2020 candidates – Katherine Marchment
- NT election 2020 candidates – Rebecca Jennings