The Country Liberal Party has distributed an unprecedented attack ad against independent candidates running at the general election, in which it suggested independents could do nothing to improve the Territory, which was quickly dismissed by independents as the actions of a tired, old party fearing for their jobs and pushing the status quo.
The ads were mailed out in Wanguri this week, where former mayor and independent candidate Graeme Sawyer is in an anticipated close battle with the CLP’s Oly Carlson and Labor’s Shlok Sharma.
The CLP would not say what other electorates they distributed the ads in or why they are so concerned about independents at this election.
On one side, the flyer asks, “Why vote independent?” and then implies the government will not change if independents are elected.
“Can independents reduce crime? No,” it says. “Can they improve the economy? No. Can they fund much needed services? No.
“Does the government change? No.”
On the reverse side, it says the Territory needs stronger laws and “addressing the root causes of crime, to “reduce wasteful spending and improve services”, and “population growth and more skilled workers”.
“Don’t waste your vote and get stuck with Labor,” the ad says. “Vote CLP to change the government.”
It is thought to be the first time a major party has openly sent negative ads attacking independent candidates at an NT election, where typically both Labor and the CLP ignore independents and focus on each other.
Political observers are suggesting the August 24 election could return a hung Parliament, with neither major party holding enough seats to form government in its own right and needing support from independents.
“The CLP must be worried to do something like this and the fact they did, shows they are worried that independents can change the government, the very thing they say we can’t do,” Mr Sawyer said.
“A lot of people seem very frustrated with the CLP’s arrogant belief they have a right to govern and Labor not being able to govern in a way that gives community confidence that their interests are being looked after.
“Independents can change government and if a balance of power scenario arises, those changes might be radical.”
Mr Sawyer has said he was asked to run as an independent by concerned citizens who were tired of the party political machine not listening to them and running the NT into the state it is currently in.
Independent candidate for Johnston Justine Davis agreed and said she was also running “in response to calls from the community for real representation”.
“We know from looking across Australia, independents are making change, and the fact that the CLP are running a scare campaign shows they are worried about this here in the NT too,” she said.
“Our campaign has been built on positive community engagement. I am running in response to calls from the community for real representation that has an impact, and representatives that do not have to follow the party line. The more than 100 local volunteers that are supporting our campaign are evidence of this.
“As an independent, I will put the community first, not party politics.”
CLP campaign director Alyson Hannam did not answer questions about the ads, but said in a statement that “a vote for an independent risks waking up on Sunday the 25th with a Labor Government”.
Former NT independent MLA Gerry Wood wrote an opinion piece for the NT Independent on Wednesday about how the Parliament could function without any political parties, based on research he did while visiting two of Canada’s northern territories in 2015, where independents run government.
He said the idea to investigate how “consensus government” could work here in the NT was inspired back then by voters “becoming disillusioned with the party system”.
“I enjoyed being an independent when in Parliament here, as it gave me a freedom that party members, especially members of the Labor party, do not have,” he wrote.
“If we had a Parliament of independents, they would all have that same freedom.”
Three independent MLAs are also currently seeking re-election to Parliament, including Robyn Lambley in Araluen, Mark Turner in Blain and Yingiya Guyula in Mulka.
The CLP are deluded if they think “They have the election in the bag”!
I hear on the grape vine a Senior, Well Rounded CLP statesmen is already lining up potential departmental CEO’s!
Is it possible Port Darwin has no CLP candidate campaigning and no volunteers at all?
Independents are useless, just look at Gerry wood nothing for his electorate for twenty years other than losing a swimming pool.Kezia is a waste of space, as is Lambley; the media loves them, of course, as they will always be the quote the media wants.
Such ill-informed arrogance. No wonder you’re called Boof.
I saw an independent running a Labor style negative campaign. I doubt that is the way to go. Having policies that are aligned with left leaning parties will just create more of the same. If they want to stand as independents they need to align with the community and stand personal bias aside.
Blah Blah Blah!
The 28000+ Public Service has quietly been bought off with 9 day fortnight working schedule and generous work from home provisions!
If your a small business and cannot get staff now, wait for post election!!
A vote for a Green or independent is just a wasted vote. They canf form a government,at best they can hinder a legitimately elected government with one policy platform that don’t reflect society views
Is this the same Graeme Sawyer who was involved in a ‘fridge fiasco a number of years ago when he was Lord Mayor of Darwin?
Scruples and integrity matter in politics.
Apologies to Graeme Sawyer…it was Peter someone who was the ‘fridge fiasco culprit. Sorry, Graeme. Perhaps the Indi can delete my comment???
As with ANY political candidate, you must look at their record & integrity.
I would also want to know BEFORE voting where they would direct PREFERENCES.