Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro erupted on radio Monday morning in frustration to the public outrage over the appointment and scheduled swearing-in of David Connolly as Administrator this Friday, following the cross-bench and Opposition’s move to boycott the ceremony because of Mr Connolly’s past racist and sexist public comments, with Ms Finocchiaro arguing that “people should have some respect” for the new Administrator.

A “community meeting” protest about Mr Connolly’s appointment is scheduled for 8:30am this Friday outside Parliament House where Mr Connolly will be officially sworn in by Governor General Sam Mostyn at 9:30am.

The protest is expected to attract hundreds of Territorians opposed to Mr Connolly’s appointment and will be attended by Opposition and independent MLAs, as well as community and Indigenous leaders.

Ms Finocchiaro was asked on Mix 104.9 if she was concerned that a large number of Territorians were unhappy with her appointment of Mr Connolly, but went on the attack instead of addressing the issue.

She said she was more concerned about the Opposition, the Greens and independent MLA Justine Davis “tearing people down at any cost to score a cheap political point” and accused them of “making it a race issue”, while appearing to claim Mr Connolly is a victim because he “doesn’t have a voice” to rebuke their comments.

Ms Finocchiaro has been heavily criticised for the decision to appoint Mr Connolly to the vice-regal position as the King’s representative in the NT, which, outside of ceremonial roles, also carries tremendous constitutional powers and is symbolic of community cohesion.

Political observers have questioned why she is so adamant about Mr Connolly filling the role despite the political blowback it has attracted that she has not been able to shake for many weeks, which led to a walkout in Parliament earlier this month.

Ms Finocchiaro was asked about the X posts that were later deleted, but only referenced a post in which Mr Connolly called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese an “arsehole” and a “boofhead” and another post about the cost of Welcome to Country ceremonies, which she claimed many would agree with.

She made no mention of the racially charged posts and multiple speeches in which Mr Connolly disrespected and mocked Aboriginal culture and language, at one point stating Aboriginal people were responsible for all the crime in the NT and that they had not done any good for the country, while also attacking trans people, joking about domestic violence and making various sexist comments about women.

“The pursuit of purity is nonsensical,” Ms Finocchiaro said, attempting to explain the comments.

“I mean, it’s just an absolute nonsense. You know, he was not Administrator at the time [of his posts].

“He is the Administrator now and people should have some respect.”

Asked if she was concerned about Mr Connolly being viewed as a divisive figure for Indigenous Territorians, which led the peak body for Aboriginal organisations to call for his appointment to be rescinded, Ms Finocchiaro said: “I’m not concerned about this at all”.

“People can make mistakes, people can have personal views,” she said.

Mr Connolly never said he made a mistake by making the disparaging and belittling comments in social media posts and in speeches and has offered no apology outside of seemingly suggesting he would not have made the comments if he knew he would become the Administrator. In a statement last month, he said he would “now be a fierce advocate for all Territorians” in his new role.

Ms Finocchiaro later said on radio that it was “disgusting” that the Opposition was trying to “tear people down who don’t have a voice”. She did not explain how Mr Connolly does not have a voice or why he has not apologised for the repeated remarks.

She also claimed the uproar over Mr Connolly was directly related to the Nightcliff by-election.

She added that she did not comment or complain about former chief minister Michael Gunner appointing former chief health officer Hugh Heggie administrator in 2023 because she felt he could appoint anyone he wanted and indicated that it was her turn to appoint who she wanted.

“I have respect for the government’s right to choose [an administrator] and I have respect for the position,” she said, adding she “respected” Mr Gunner’s “right” to appoint Mr Heggie, “because if you want to pick the administrator, you have to work hard and get into government”.

She then claimed she “got abused at Rapid Creek markets by a Labor volunteer, an older gentleman in a Labor shirt” about her appointment of Mr Connolly and accused those on the left side of politics of “saying whatever you want about anyone” with no repercussions.

Governor General invited to hear Territorians’ concerns while in Darwin: Davis

Independent Johnston MLA Justine Davis said she has been contacted by Territorians from all walks of life “who are deeply troubled by this appointment, from long-term locals, to pastoralists, people newly arrived in the Territory, women, Aboriginal Territorians, domestic violence victims, and many others who care deeply for the wellbeing of our community”.

“So while the Country Liberal Party gathers at David Connolly’s swearing-in at Parliament House [on Friday morning], I will be with community members outside, continuing to listen to their concerns,” Ms Davis said.

“Out of respect for her position, I have invited the Governor General to the gathering to hear directly from Territorians. Opposing David Connolly’s appointment is not about politics. It is about who has been chosen to hold a role that should represent everyone, especially in a Territory as diverse as ours.”

She added that multicultural communities, First Nations people, women, and those from minority backgrounds “look to leadership roles to reflect respect, dignity and inclusion”.

“When someone with a history of divisive public comments is put forward for such a position, it raises very real concern among groups who already face bias and exclusion,” Ms Davis said.

“This is the Chief Minister’s chance to prove she can listen to community, do the right thing, and rescind the appointment. Her continued refusal shows Territorians she is not prepared to listen to them and represent their views.”

Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said she has raised concerns about the “inappropriate appointment” of Mr Connolly and would not be attending the swearing-in ceremony in an effort to “stand up for action” when division is presented rather than unity.

Labor and cross-bench Members walked out of Parliament in protest earlier this month after being muzzled by the Speaker from criticising Mr Connolly’s appointment in the Chamber. Ms Uibo did not rule out boycotting other events held by the Administrator, saying it would be determined on a “case by case basis”.

She also said the CLP and Ms Finocchiaro were treating Territorians with “disdain” over their refusal to listen to the growing concerns.

“Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro refuses to back down because she sees it as a weakness – it is not a weakness to represent your community,” Ms Uibo said.

“If you have made a mistake, if you have made a bad decision, people expect their leaders to…recognise their bad decision, recognise that mistake and rectify it. She chooses not to.”