‘The joy is still flowing’: Federal election celebrations to boost crowds at Darwin’s May Day march

Hundreds of unionists are expected to march through the streets of Darwin following a resounding Labor victory at the Federal election.

Unions NT secretary Erina Early and United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy ahead of the 2025 May Day march in Darwin. Picture: Zizi Averill

The post-election euphoria will spill onto the streets of Darwin today following the strong federal Labor victory.

Organisers expect the win to result in a huge crowds at this year’s Top End May Day Labor march.

Hundreds of unionist are expected to parade through the streets in the Labour Day march just two days after Labor secured a whopping majority in the Federal election.

Unions NT secretary Erina Early said the annual march — which celebrates the fight to enshrine the eight hour work day — was expected to draw a crowd of between 800 and 1000 people on Monday.

This is double the size of last year’s celebrations, with Ms Early saying this weekend’s Labor landslide likely to see many more people joining the public holiday festivities.

Unions NT secretary Erina Early and United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy ahead of the 2025 May Day march in Darwin. Picture: Zizi Averill

One of the guest speakers at the march, United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy said the weekend election showed that Australians had rejected the “the imported right-wing populism from Europe of the United States”.

“The size of the victory on Saturday night has taken a lot of people by surprise in a very positive way and given people a lot of hope,” Mr Kennedy said.

“The election was probably one of the most significant victories for Labor in my adult life.

“I think it showed that Australians want to make certain they look after one another.

“The joy is still flowing, and I think it will probably overflow onto the May Day march here in Darwin.”

Unions NT May Day March in Darwin in 2023. Picture: Annabel Bowles

The Melbourne-based union leader said it was “important to show solidarity with our members in the north”, and despite the election victory said the movement could not rest on its laurels.

“The reality is that there’s a lot of work to do, a lot of Australians are hurting and cost of living hasn’t gone away because of an election,” Mr Kennedy said.

Currently the NT Government is in negotiations with police, all public servants, Jacana workers, Aboriginal Health practitioners and non-contract principals, teachers and assistant teachers — but enterprise bargaining is expected to soon begin for firefighters, paramedics, and corrections.

Originally published as ‘The joy is still flowing’: Federal election celebrations to boost crowds at Darwin’s May Day march