CLP Senator’s staffer Melanie Usher joins Territory Alliance to run in Katherine

A LONG-TIME CLP member will keep her job with the party’s NT Senator despite jumping ship to run as a candidate for Territory Alliance

A LONG-TIME CLP member will keep her job with the party’s NT Senator despite jumping ship to run as a candidate for Territory Alliance.

The NT News has spoken to Melanie Usher who will run for Territory Alliance in the seat of Katherine, resigning from the CLP late Wednesday in order to do so.

The high-profile addition is a major coup for Territory Alliance and the defection a likely headache for the CLP, particularly as she will be keeping her role in Senator McMahon’s office.

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Ms Usher confirmed she had spoken to Senator McMahon, saying her boss was “understanding” of her decisions.

“She doesn’t want to sack me, she doesn’t want to lose a good worker,” Ms Usher said.

She will continue to work as an electorate officer until the election writs are issued before taking leave without pay.

Senator McMahon has made headlines this week after revelations the CLP was undertaking an investigation into claims of serious misconduct within her office.

Left to Right. Jeff Usher, Sam McMahon, Debbie Aloisi and Melanie Usher in Katherine on Voting Day, May 18, 2019. SUPPLIED

A former public servant, Ms Usher worked for then Sanderson MLA and frontbencher Daryl Manzie at the start of the millennium, before holding government roles with the department of business and department of primary industry based in Katherine

For 12 years from 2007 she worked as an office manager at a cabinet-making business in the town before becoming Senator McMahon’s electorate officer after the election in 2019.

Ms Usher narrowly missed out on CLP preselection for the seat of Katherine this year. The party picked Jo Hersey.

“I know this won’t be appreciated, me jumping ship, by some of them (within the CLP), but I believe this is the right move to give Katherine a strong voice in parliament,” Ms Usher said.

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“It was a hard decision to make, I am a conservative, I still am and always will be but it’s what’s best for Katherine.”

Ms Usher said her main priority would be to get Katherine recognised again and give the community the level of representation it deserved in order to secure things such as increased hospital funding and support for the development of a primary industry and agriculture hub in Katherine.

She said Territory Alliance had a vision that was “really different” to what was on offer at the moment and the party had a chance to make a “real difference” for Katherine.

Territory Alliance's Daniel Kelly (Katherine branch), Melanie Usher (Katherine candidate) and Terry Mills (leader). Picture: Supplied

Ms Usher’s candidacy comes after a community meeting in Katherine that was sparked by residents concerned there was not enough competition in the seat.

“I would have never put my hand up without (encouragement) by a lot of people in the community,” she said.

NT Labor has yet to announce a candidate in Katherine.

Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills said Ms Usher had been endorsed by the Katherine community to be “their champion”, describing her as an “authentic and competent voice”.

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“Personally I was seeking someone with ministerial potential and able to advance policy around regional development particularly in horticulture, the cattle industry and tourism,” he said.

“Territory Alliance takes another step in bringing new vigour to Territory politics.”

Originally published as CLP Senator’s staffer Melanie Usher joins Territory Alliance to run in Katherine