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 Independent Member for Stuart Scott McConnell, who will be running for the seat of Braitling. Scott lives in Alice Springs with his wife and two dogs.

He grew up mostly on cattle stations in the Northern Territory, where his education included School of the Air and Yuendumu School. Later, he attended Northern Territory University to study anthropology, but he deferred studies when his father was diagnosed with cancer, and he hasn’t returned (yet).

Scott has been working since he was 15, starting in stock camps and then working as a NT park ranger for ten years. He has also worked in community development as a council clerk at Haasts Bluff and in remote service delivery and business development as CEO with Ingkerreke and Ngurratjuta in Alice Springs. 

Scott is an avid cyclist, including road riding and mountain biking, and has just started getting into trail running. Scott and his wife enjoy backpacking and have done multi-day trips on the Larapinta trail, the Tongariro Northern Circuit in New Zealand, and the Hoh River trail in Washington State, USA.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who did it come from?

“I can help you with that, if you want to do something about it.” Reg Hatch, offering professional assistance to me to lose weight and become physically fit. 

Tell us something interesting or quirky about yourself.

I finished the Finke Desert Race three times. On my fourth attempt, I crashed and was knocked out cold on the second corner. 

How would your best mate describe you in twenty words or less?

Likes to learn about the details of an issue. Doesn’t like small talk but loves a good story. Motivates others to succeed. 

If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring one movie, one album and one book, what would they be?

Movie: No Country for Old Men directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.

Album: Songs from the Cattle Camps by Slim Dusty.

Book: Deer Hunting with Jesus: Dispatches from America’s Class War by Joe Bageant.

If you could have dinner with any person in history, who would it be and why?

Olive Pink. I am interested in her perspective on Central Australia. Definitely a person ahead of her time. 

A couple of really quick questions. You can give one-word answers if you wish.

Tea or coffee?

Both. Usually coffee out and about. Tea at home. 

Folder or scruncher?

Scruncher. 

AFL or NRL?

AFL. 

Wet season or dry season?

Winter in the Centre. 

Coles or Woollies?

Larapinta IGA! 

Other candidates

• 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