The Greens have preferenced independent candidate Phil Scott ahead of Labor

The Greens have made an unexpected preferences announcement. Read why they did it.

The Northern Territory Greens will instruct voters in the Solomon electorate to preference an independent candidate ahead of the Labor Party, with the start of voting in the federal poll just days away.

Australian Greens candidate Jonathan Parry’s how to vote card urgers party supporters to preference independent Phil Scott second, with Labor’s Luke gosling third.

The Greens have preferenced Australian Citizens Party candidate Brian Kristo fourth, the CLP’s Lisa Bayliss fifth, One Nation’s Benjamin Craker sixth and independent Janey Davies last.

While campaigning as a community independent, Mr Scott’s campaign is backed by billionaire Simon Holmes a Courts’ Climate 200, which backs the so-called Teals political movement that has six lower house seats in the federal parliament.

NT Greens candidate for Solomon Jonathan Parry. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Parry said the decision to preference an independent candidate over Labor was driven by shared values.

“I think there’s an alignment in values,” Mr Parry said. “Of course this independent candidate hasn’t invented grassroots democracy, but grassroots democracy is a pillar of the Greens and we love to see democracy in action.

“What we know is people are fed up with the two old parties and so are increasingly going towards parties like The Greens and independents, and so there is an element of solidarity in those shared values.

“Phil’s a nice guy but The Greens are the progressive party bringing fully costed policies to this election, and the people of Solomon will make their minds up who will be their most effective representative when it comes to preferences.”

CDU adjunct professor Rolf Gerritsen said the move was designed to capitalise on Mr Parry's number one position atop the Solomon ballot paper. Mr Gosling is placed last on the ballot paper.

“He’s trying to take advantage of the donkey vote,” Professor Gerritsen said. “It’s a tactical move because in a tight election the donkey vote and reverse donkey vote can make a difference.”

Greens how to vote card

Professor Gerritsen said preference allocations would not impact the final result in Solomon.

“The seat will be decided between Labor and the CLP, and I think Labor will win,” he said.

Solomon MP and re-election candidate Luke Gosling said voting Labor is the only way to attract real investment while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

“Labor is the only party committed to investing in renewables across the Territory,” he said.

“Teals across the country are only focused on issues that benefit the east coast. We need a representative focused on delivering for all Territorians - that’s what I have done, and that’s what I will continue to do if Im successful at the election.”

CLP candidate Lisa Bayliss warned voters against backing a Teals-Greens alliance.

“The Teals and Greens will be a disaster for the Territory,” Ms Bayliss said. “They have no plan to tackle the root causes of crime and no plan to lower the cost of living.

“Only the CLP will get the Territory and Australia back on track.”

Originally published as The Greens have preferenced independent candidate Phil Scott ahead of Labor