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.
