Solomon candidates outline their top issues heading into the 2025 federal election

All of the candidates vying for your vote in the Top End seat of Solomon make their pitch, outlining the key issues they are taking to the federal election. WHAT THEY’RE PROMISING TO DELIVER.

Solomon candidates in the 2025 federal election.

The Northern Territory electorate of Solomon is one to watch this federal election, with both major parties hoping to secure victory in the Top End seat.

Covering Darwin and Palmerston, Solomon accounts for half of the Territory’s population but covers just 0.02 per cent of its land mass.

The seat has been held by Labor’s Luke Gosling since 2016, and on paper is a safe Labor hold thanks to a 9.4 per cent margin recorded at the last election (a margin that narrows slightly when recent boundary redistributions are taken into account).

However the CLP is looking at its landslide win at the Territory election last year and hoping that same voter sentiment will translate at the federal level for its first time candidate Lisa Bayliss.

Here are the key issues each Solomon candidate is promising to address if they win on May 3, in their own words.

Jonathan Parry - Greens

Greens candidate for Solomon Jonathan Parry. Picture: Supplied.

I will tackle the housing, cost of living, and climate crises.

On housing, the Greens will cap rent increases, lower mortgages, build more public housing to clear waitlists, and axe tax handouts to wealthy property investors.

On cost of living we will put dental and mental health into Medicare, make it free to see the GP, make childcare universally free, wipe student debt, make university and TAFE free, and stop supermarket price gouging.

On climate, we will ban new gas and fracking, stop Middle Arm, spend one per cent of the budget on the environment, protect water, and invest in public renewables.

Preferences: The Greens are encouraging voters to preference Independent Phil Scott 2nd, Labor 3rd, and One Nation last.

Lisa Bayliss - CLP

CLP candidate for Solomon Lisa Bayliss.

As a born and bred Territorian and police officer of 30 years, I understand we are different to the rest of Australia. After eight years of Territory Labor’s soft on crime approach and three years of Anthony Albanese, we need change.

If elected, the coalition will immediately cut the fuel tax by 25c a litre, saving a family with two cars up to $1500.

I will work with the new CLP government to ensure they get the federal support they need to reduce crime and address root causes.

I will also fight to get Darwin the aged care services we deserve.

Preferences: The CLP is encouraging voters to preference One Nation 2nd, Independent Janey Davies 3rd, and the Greens last.

Benjamin Craker - One Nation

One Nation candidate for Solomon Benjamin Craker. Picture: Supplied.

Territorians take pride in our wide-open spaces, hardworking communities, and the freedom that defines our way of life. But that way of life is under pressure. Hardworking Territorians are being priced out of home ownership, and crime is leaving our community feeling unsafe. No excuses, no nonsense—just action that puts Australians first: income splitting for couples with dependents, boot camps and 24/7 youth centres, real consequences for violent offenders, protecting your right to hunt and fish, 20 per cent off electricity, 26c off at the bowser, reduce immigration from 570,000 to 130,000 per year, revitalize domestic manufacturing, preserving the Territory lifestyle, establish a truly Australian-owned bank, protect cash, and our resources — no more giveaways.

Preferences: One Nation is encouraging voters to preference the CLP 2nd, Citizens Party 3rd, and the Greens last.

Phil Scott - Independent

Independent candidate for Solomon Phil Scott. Picture: Supplied.

People first, end corporate greed. Tackle cost-of-living by: confronting corruption; ensuring big corporations pay fair tax; investing in cheap, sustainable power; and reinvesting in essential services like healthcare, housing, and education.

Build a strong, local economy: diversify beyond boom-bust projects; redirect big industry handouts for Middle Arm towards small business innovation, development and growth to keep sustainable jobs, profits and young people in the Territory.

Safe communities through programs that work: real safety starts with strong, supported communities. Address root causes of crime by investing in proven, community-led prevention solutions, frontline services, youth programs, victim safety, effective rehabilitation and accountability.

Preferences: Mr Scott is not indicating any preferences.

Brian Kristo - Citizens Party

Citizens Party candidate for Solomon Brian Kristo. Picture: Supplied.

I will advocate for an Aussie Post Bank: the Public Bank will guarantee full low cost banking services, deposit and loans, 100 per cent deposit security, guarantee access to cash for all Australian individuals, businesses and communities, and our economic sovereignty.

Return government to the people: return integrity to public governance, put service back into public services, no banks and no big business controlling government.

Return to an independent foreign policy: no war with China, or participation with any other countries, replace war with trade, consider our national and economic sovereignty in union.

Preferences: Citizens Party is encouraging voters to preference the Greens 2nd, Janey Davies 3rd, and the CLP last.

Janey Davies - Independent

Independent candidate for Solomon Janey Davies. Picture: Supplied.

Government and media integrity in a post-truth world: criminalise deliberate government misinformation-officials who knowingly spread false information to the public*; end state controlled narratives; strengthen independent journalism; enforce media ownership transparency; and protect press freedom.

Gender issues: zero-tolerance for gender-based violence; mandatory minimum sentences for perpetrators and stronger victim support services; biology matters - acknowledge and protect the rights, safety and fairness of both biological sexes in law, sports and spaces.

Covid justice: independent inquiry now - hold leaders accountable for lockdown overreach, failed policies, and economic devastation; compensation for the harmed - support for businesses, workers and individuals negatively impacted by unjust pandemic policies.

*Editors note: ‘Government misinformation-officials’ do not exist, and there is no program of false information being knowingly spread to the public.

Preferences: Ms Davies is encouraging voters to preference One Nation 2nd, Citizens Party 3rd, and the Greens last.

Luke Gosling - Labor

Labor candidate for Solomon Luke Gosling.

The Top End deserves a strong local voice that delivers. I’ve delivered tax cuts for every Territorian, restored bulk billing, and established an urgent care clinic in Palmerston, with another coming to Darwin, and secured energy relief for households.

Labor is backing Territory jobs, Medicare, education, and cost of living support — while Peter Dutton and the CLP want to cut it all to fund their $600bn nuclear farce. Dutton has a bad history with Medicare.

We can’t forget, the CLP and coalition flogged off Darwin Port 10 years ago. Labor is the only party serious about returning it to Australian hands.

Preferences: Labor is encouraging voters to preference the Greens 2nd, Independent Phil Scott 3rd, and One Nation last.

Originally published as Solomon candidates outline their top issues heading into the 2025 federal election