SEATS IN FOCUS: Fong Lim a battleground as analyst reckons Jeff Collins bolstered by move
The “great bulk” of the seat of Fong Lim is historically filled with CLP voters, and it is unlikely NT Labor is “counting on winning” it back, according to NT political analyst Ken Parish.
Northern Territory
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THE “great bulk” of the seat of Fong Lim is historically filled with CLP voters, and it is unlikely NT Labor is “counting on winning” it back, according to NT political analyst Ken Parish.
The seat has been contested at just three elections but has been represented by the CLP, NT Labor, an independent and Territory Alliance owing to incumbent MLA Jeff Collins’ side switching.
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Fong Lim has a decent stack of high profile entrenched locals as candidates including CLP’s Kylie Bonanni, a former Tourism NT board chair and Alice Springs councillor; NT Labor’s Mark Monaghan, a former Engineers Australia NT general manager; Mr Collins; and independent candidate, laksa queen Amye Un.
Mr Parish, a former Labor MLA turned Territory Alliance supporter himself, said incumbency would be to Mr Collins’ benefit and his switch to Territory Alliance would put him in a “stronger position” than if he had been an unaffiliated independent or still with NT Labor.
This is because the conservative voters may be wooed to the fledgling party, which Mr Parish says is seen to swing “a bit to the conservative side”.
“Though some will probably be a little bit unimpressed by (party leader) Terry Mills’s abandoning fracking,” he said.
The CLP’s Dave Tollner held the seat for eight years before a series of controversies and a failed preselection battle for a neighbouring seat resulted in him bowing out.
Mr Collins won the seat with a two-party preferred vote of 57.8 per cent, a swing of 7.9 per cent.
ABC election analyst Antony Green, in calculating the margin in Fong Lim after the recent redistribution, found NT Labor’s would notionally drop more than 2 per cent though it would still hold on to the seat.
But this did not take into account Mr Collins’ leaving NT Labor.
A MediaReach poll commissioned by Territory Alliance found Fong Lim could go either to that party or NT Labor.
Ms Bonanni said she was doubtful of the poll and was focused on meeting as many people as she could prior to pre-polling.
She said residents she had spoken to, who were tuned into politics, listed crime, anti-social behaviour and the dire state of the NT’s economy before and after COVID-19.
The candidates of Fong Lim are due to go head to head in a Rotary Club-run debate at Smith St Social today.
CANDIDATES
Name: Kylie Bonanni
PARTY: CLP
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME: I have focused the past 30 years on raising a family and supporting the family business. I believe we need politicians from all walks of life with diverse skills. I have innovative ideas and business experience in both the private sector and local government as well as many volunteer positions throughout the Territory, I have a passion for our Tourism Industry from my time on NT Tourism Commission. The Territory needs change NOW! The strong new CLP team, brings policies of creating jobs and opportunities, getting the budget back under control, returning youth justice to Corrections, Territorians should feel safe at home and in their local community.
NAME: Amye Un
PARTY: independent
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME: I am a dedicated and experienced local business women who has been disappointed by the selfish decisions of successive governments, specifically handing out millions of dollars of tax payer money to their mates. I am passionate about community voices being heard and represented by members of parliament. Business owners in the electorate are struggling from the lack of consumer appeal within local shopping areas. The Stuart Highway is the main highway going into the Darwin CBD and it is in desperate need of a major beautification upgrade which would provide greater attraction and appeal. A vote for Amye is a vote for a better Darwin.
NAME: Jeff Collins
PARTY: Territory Alliance
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME: My time as the Member for Fong Lim has been a learning process. I was elected in 2016 as a member of the Labor team promising change, transparency and accountability. I believed those promises, however, I was quickly and consistently disappointed.
At every opportunity this Government has played favourites and this has to stop. Territorians, and the voters in Fong Lim in particular, deserve better from their Government. They deserve a fair go.
Despite the significant and fundamental problems facing the Northern Territory and its economy, I am truly excited about the potential for the next 4 years as a member of a Territory Alliance government.
NAME: Mark Monaghan
PARTY: NT Labor
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR ME:
A little blue pole in Fong Lim may not mean much to a lot of people, but to families in Woolner, it means their kids can now safely catch the bus to school without needing to cross the busy Tiger Brennan Highway.
This is one outcome of many that I have delivered since I began doorknocking last year.
As a former Territory educator and NT Manager of the Pritchard Francis Engineering company, have the passion, skills and drive to support our teachers, schools and back our local businesses.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I work continue to work hard for the people of Fong Lim.
HISTORY
NAMED after former Darwin Lord Mayor Alec Fong Lim, the electorate has had its current title since the 2008 election. Previously it was known as the seat of Millner and was renamed after a redistribution removed the suburb.
Fong Lim is located in the suburban corridor south of the Stuart Hwy in Darwin and takes in the suburbs of Bayview, Stuart Park, and Woolner. The redistribution has seen it lose Ludmilla to Fannie Bay while gaining The Narrows, Winnellie and parts of Berrimah from Spillett.
2016 RESULTS
Two party preferred
NT Labor 57.8 per cent
CLP 42.2 per cent. Redistribution expected to reduce Labor’s margin from 7.8 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
PREVIOUS MEMBERS
Jeff Collins: Territory Alliance (2020 – present) Independent (2018-2020) NT Labor (2016- 2018)
Dave Tollner: CLP (2008-2016)
Including the former electorate of Millner
Matt Bonson: NT Labor (2001-2008)
Phil Mitchell: CLP (1994-2001)
Ken Parish: NT Labor (1991-1994)
Terry Smith: NT Labor (1981-1991)
Jon Isaacs: NT Labor (1977-1981)
Originally published as SEATS IN FOCUS: Fong Lim a battleground as analyst reckons Jeff Collins bolstered by move