Independent candidate Phil Scott launches campaign to win federal seat of Solomon

A long-time activist and volunteer is taking on the major parties at this year’s federal election, running as an independent candidate for the Top End seat of Solomon. Read what he stands for.

Phil Scott has launched an independent campaign for the Top End seat of Solomon at the 2025 federal election. Picture: Supplied.

A long-time activist and volunteer is taking on the major parties at this year’s federal election, running as an independent candidate for the Top End seat of Solomon.

Phil Scott launched his campaign at an event in Darwin on Monday night, expected to be attended by hundreds in support of the grassroots movement.

Mr Scott said his priorities included political integrity, improving community safety by investing in prevention programs and long term solutions, and a climate and energy policy that did not prioritise industry interests over community wellbeing.

He also hoped to address the cost of living by reforming the tax system so big corporations paid a larger share, and to invest more in local businesses and initiatives.

“We can have a smart, sustainable, 21st century local economy and protect our community and environmental health,” Mr Scott said.

“Contrary to what big industry will have us believe, it’s not an either/or proposition. We can have a smart, sustainable local economy that works for everyone.

“The cost of living is biting, bills are going up, housing is expensive, and climate challenges are becoming more urgent. All this while working people and small businesses are paying upwards of 28 per cent tax rates when big corporations aren’t paying their fair share.

“I know the community of Darwin and Palmerston has the spirit and knowledge to meet our challenges and I’m going to put our interests first in Canberra.”

Phil Scott at an anti-fracking demonstration in Darwin in 2023. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Scott holds a degree in social science and exercise science, and has previously worked for the Red Cross and local government in New South Wales.

He now volunteers for Voices of the Top End – a nonpartisan group seeking to increase active participation in democracy – and has been involved in local movements including anti-fracking and ‘save Lee Point’ initiatives.

Mr Scott described himself as “a partner and dad first”, raising three kids aged 11, 10 and seven in Coconut Grove with his wife Jenny.

“They are a big motivation for me for why I’m doing this, as a parent I have lots of concerns about what sort of world my kids are inheriting,” he said.

Baring all for a cause … Phil Scott (far left) in 2024. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Scott’s campaign launch was opened by independent Territory MLA Justine Davis, who won the seat of Johnston through an unprecedented volunteer effort at the NT election last year.

It will be a much larger task to mobilise across Solomon, but Mr Scott believed Territorians were looking for options outside of the major parties.

“The social licence of these major parties is diminishing, people don’t feel like they’re being represented,” he said.

“Absolutely we believe we can win, but just standing is really, really significant – being able to build community and have somebody stand up for community principles and values.”

Solomon covers the metropolitan Darwin and Palmerston region of the NT, and will be a seat to watch going into the federal election.

It has historically been a swing seat and never held by an independent, incumbent Labor MP Luke Gosling winning with a margin of 9.37 per cent two-party-preferred at the last election.

The CLP candidate is Territory police officer Lisa Bayliss.

Originally published as Independent candidate Phil Scott launches campaign to win federal seat of Solomon