The peak body representing Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory has rejected David Connolly as the next Administrator and called for the NT and Federal Governments to terminate his appointment following his recently revealed social media comments and views that they say “undermine trust and respect across our diverse population”.
Mr Connolly’s social media comments were first exposed last week, in which he repeatedly ridiculed Aboriginal people and culture, railed against what he called “inequality” for white Australians, politically attacked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, mocked domestic violence and made disparaging comments about women and transgender people.
The Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory group (APONT) called for his appointment to be revoked following NLC chair Matthew Ryan’s criticism of Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and the two federal NT Labor MPs who on Tuesday called for an apology from Mr Connolly instead of his resignation, which Mr Ryan said was “disappointing” and accused the Labor politicians of “failing Northern Territory Indigenous people they should be supporting” by not calling for him to go.
APONT issued its statement late yesterday afternoon, stating Mr Connolly’s comments and views “cannot be taken lightly” and that his nomination erodes public trust in the Administrator role, which aside from holding statutory functions and being non-partisan is also meant to promote community cohesion and serve as a symbol of unity for all Territorians.
“Mr Connolly’s comments reinforce harmful narratives and demonstrate a lack of upstanding qualities required of such an appointment – ignoring these issues is unacceptable,” APONT chair Theresa Roe said.
“Such views have no place in the office of the NT Administrator. This behaviour only creates division in the Territory.”
Ms Roe directly referenced a comment Mr Connolly made during a 2024 NT Cattlemen’s Association speech, in which he rejected the Territory’s crime issues were connected to Australia’s colonial past and said the “main group of people perpetrating these criminal actions have been in Australia for 60,000 years…they are the product of failed policy and a soft on crime attitude”.
Ms Roe said it was “alarming that a future Administrator blames Aboriginal Territorians for crime spikes in 2024”.
“These comments reveal a lack of understanding of the lived experiences of Aboriginal Territorians – a third of the NT population,” she said.
“They also indicate a lack of respect for Aboriginal people and all Territorians who want to live in a cohesive community.
“The NT Administrator holds considerable power and influence. It also demands the confidence and trust of Aboriginal people – trust that can only be earned through an honest understanding of power, history and privilege.”
Ms Roe added that continuing with the appointment “despite clear evidence of problematic views on race and history, entrenches division…right across the Territory”.
“It reflects a continued failure to listen to Aboriginal voices and represents a missed opportunity to demonstrate leadership grounded in respect, understanding and unity,” she said.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has gone into hiding since backing Mr Connolly’s appointment last Friday, with her office repeatedly refusing to answer questions about how Mr Connolly was appointed and the vetting process involved.
Ms Finocchiaro also would not say if she agreed with Mr Connolly’s views on Aboriginal Territorians or how he came to be her government’s pick as Administrator.
NLC says Federal Labor pollies ‘tip-toeing’ around and ‘failing’ Indigenous Territorians
Minister McCarthy issued a joint statement on Tuesday with federal NT Labor MPs Luke Gosling and Marion Scrymgour, calling for Mr Connolly to apologise.
“Previous social media comments by Mr Connolly are reprehensible and offensive and he should apologise,” the statement said, adding that the NT Administrator “plays an important role in the functioning of our democracy” who should be above party politics.
NLC chair Matthew Ryan told ABC Radio on Wednesday that he was disappointed the federal politicians had only asked for an apology and not Mr Connolly’s resignation.
“To be honest, the damage is already done,” he said.
“I’m quite disappointed with the three federal politicians from Northern Territory, they are tip-toeing. I’m very disappointed in the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs [Ms McCarthy] and Member for Lingiari [Marion Scrymgour], very disappointed. They should be going hard on it. They should be supporting all Indigenous people, not [calling for] an apology. An apology I think is more wishy-washy.
“I’ll stand my ground and on my heart, they are failing Northern Territory indigenous people they should be supporting. Should be calling on the Commonwealth Government, saying he needs to step down immediately, get someone who is appropriate, who will work with the Northern Territory Aboriginal people.
“Hopefully, you know, if we can call for action, we want the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth to step him down, to take some action, and to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister: step up here. Please step up. It’s an insult and offense to all Aboriginal people. The remarks towards us, it’s demeaning…it’s quite offensive and wrong.”
Mr Connolly was forced to issue a statement through the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet on Monday, but stopped short of apologising for his past comments about Aboriginal Territorians.
He claimed the social media posts were made before the idea of serving as Administrator had entered his “wildest dreams”.
“It was never my intention to cause offence; I fully understand and appreciate the expectations of the community and my role as Administrator,” he said in the statement.
He also said in the 2024 Cattlemen’s speech that he doesn’t “offer offence, but you are free to take it”, while also claiming that he’s never been “accused of not speaking my mind directly”. He told ABC Radio Darwin last month that he would cease publicly expressing his political opinions after he becomes the Administrator.
Mr Connolly is due to be sworn in by the Governor General next month.
There was a time when Australians saw themselves as “one”. Everyone . . . an Australian. “How are you mate”?
We acknowledged identity from whence we came. Methodist or Catholic. Chinese or European (Post War 2). Well-off or gaining ground? Banana-bender or Taswegian? Indigenous or Non – Indigenous? The then universal use of “mate” applied.
From the mid 1930’s _ 1980’s. Being an Australian meant something. Something we all valued, understood, accepted? “We” are Australian. “Polymorphous”.
Early 2000 onwards. Religious fraternity somewhat less brotherly? Beginning of differences. Competitive, and deeply committed to retention of prior historic values. Beliefs. Previous “homelands” / behaviors re-emerging? Rebuilding?
And then mid 2000 timeline onward. We have seen increased numbers cross and enter our borders. Concentric behaviors fading? Crime? Power? And “old-world” values re-emerging? To be a “mate” today . . . a fading commitment?
I do not think highly of the current administration and its embarrassing leadership and some of its drop kick, buck toothed, clueless Ministers!
However, I think this Administrator may work out well!
This is a pile on by the media and the non existent, non relevant opposition as its a slow news week
I think this Administrator is on the same wave length as the majority of Territorians.
The summa silencium has enveloped the CLP.
Could it be that the majority of its party members and MLAs support David Connolly’s views on Indigenous Territorians – disgusting and offensive as his pronouncements are? Silence implies consent- does it not? I know party members and former CLP MLA’s who never would have supported Connolly’s offensive race based views – where are the champions of social cohesion and a better future for our Territory? Could it be that views like Connolly’s are embedded in the depths of CLP culture? -par for the course you might say. Why should the office of Administrator be a sinecure for a person like Mr Connolly and who lobbied for his appointment? Matthew Ryan and Theresa Roe spoke the truth.
“The summa silencium has enveloped the CLP.”
Charlie, that silence masks a DICK-TATOR-Ship, the other MLA’s opinions dont matter, they goose step and clap in lock step with The Great Photogenic Leader. Not one of those dumb @ss, buck toothed, barely educated MLA’s would dare open their mouths to express discontent in fear of the fabulous “Ken Vowles, Jeff Collins and Scott McConnell experience”
Despite the minions at the NT News doing its level best to present a “crime is plummeting” narrative to a ransacked public, not all is well in the State of Denmark.
Some CLP MLA’s have already mentally checked out: Properties have been bought down south, jobs have been set up! I wish they would leave now with there reputations intact and hand the opportunity over to someone who wants to make a difference in the NT before the electoral devastation of 2028.
Territorians need to drop the apathy and get very vocal with their CLP representatives! The current Administration is making no effort to cut Labours fabulous $15 billion++ Government debt!
Very insightful GR. There is one issue in all of this disreputable and offensive Connolly
conduct disparaging Aboriginal Territorians – our fellow citizens -that has not been widely considered in the public debate. And that is the relationship between the Administrator and HRH C3 of E. If and when sworn in, Mr Connolly will be the King’s representative in the NT. There is a precedent for “we are not impressed.” By now the GG should have advised the Palace, that on the advice of the PM, following on from a recommendation from the CM, she appointed a cowboy who denigrates Indigenous Territorians on his X file consistent with other related personal public commentary. The King’s man in the Territory! In general terms, the power to appoint implies the power to revoke – but in this case, the power to revoke might not be free from doubt. If revocation of an Administrator’s appointment is lawful, that step would require a principled and courageous approach from the PM in the public interest given the subsequent emergence of Mr Connolly disparaging remarks about our Indigenous fellow citizens. Connolly could anticipate HM being very forthright in their initial chat and cuppa in Buckingham. The cream and jam will predictably be held back when the scones are served. It might be prudent for the CM to hold back her invitation for the King to visit the Territory. Hail Britannia!
It is a sad day when exposing the truth is racist
Maybe the fear from the top is that the rest of the world will see the greed and corruption at the expense of their brethren will not remain hidden.
It would be highly detrimental to the fat cats feeding on the poor if the rest of the
other hard working citizens really knew how they treat their brothers and sisters with utter disdain
My heart bleeds for the days when we were all Australian , one flag, have a go, be proud of the country that feeds us well
Long gone I am afraid
Put it down to Thatcher’s neo-liberal agenda and add globalisation Louie. The combination of both has changed the world for the worst. The billionaires now rule and politicians are their lapdogs.
Dear RL – your may recall this: Mrs Thatcher took her Cabinet to dinner. The waiter said “what would you like to order ma’am” Thatcher said “steak medium rare.” The waiter said “what about the veggies?” She replied “they’ll have the same.” An allegory for the NT perhaps!?
Is it possible . . . that territorians lack gumption to an extent, that they will allow a governmental collapse?
Because that may well be an inevitable consequence should electorate fail to challenge, question ELECTED members?
Is it probable, territorians lack gumption to an extent that they will allow governmental failures to continue unchallenged?
Whether it be an ‘Administrator’ Appointment. OR . . . Collapse of Health and Prison Systems?
And let us not forget: The amount of Territory and Territorian debt. Both current and future. Elected Members walk away? But every territorian that remains ? ? ?
“We” really need to lead them . . . not they lead us!