NT seats of Lingiari and Solomon in the mix for May 3 federal election

The Northern Territory is shaping up to be a key battleground in the federal election, with both Lingiari and Solomon in the mix come May 3.

Signs are up, people are waving at cars, and the federal election campaign has officially kicked off in the Northern Territory.

With both Lingiari and Solomon in play, all sides of politics will be watching the Territory closely come May 3.

Four of the six major party candidates in the NT are Aboriginal women, and Indigenous affairs will be a decisive issue for voters, alongside crime and the cost of living.

Both Labor’s Malarndirri McCarthy and the Country Liberal’s Jacinta Nampijinpa Price are expected to hold their senate seats, meaning it is all but certain the Indigenous Australians Minister will continue to be a Territorian, no matter who becomes the next Prime Minister.

NT Lingiari and Solomon candidates for Labor and the CLP. Malarndirri McCarthy, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Lisa Siebert, Marion Scrymgour, Luke Gosling, Lisa Bayliss.

The contest in the Territory will be in the lower house, where incumbent Labor MPs Marion Scrymgour and Luke Gosling will be challenged by Lisa Siebert and Lisa Bayliss respectively; two police officers and first time political candidates.

Labor won the Top End seat of Solomon with a 6.3 per cent margin in 2022, while Lingiari – covering the entire Territory outside of Darwin and Palmerston – was narrowly held with 50.95 per cent of votes.

Last year’s NT election may serve as a warning for the incumbents about voter sentiment; Territory Labor suffering wipe-out losses in urban areas and retaining just four bush seats.

Country Liberal Solomon candidate Lisa Bayliss, NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Lingiari candidate Lisa Siebert, and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Siebert said she was running because Labor had “failed Lingiari”.

“Letting crime soar, housing shortages worsen, and the cost of living skyrocket,” she said.

“I am a proud Territorian from Gunbalanya who served 16 years as a federal police officer, tackling crime, domestic violence, and youth diversion.

“I will work with Peter Dutton and Lia Finocchiaro to get the Northern Territory back on track – delivering safer communities, affordable housing and easing cost of living pressures.

“I know the Territory’s challenges because I have lived it.”

On Facebook Ms Scrymgour said the Territory “cannot afford to go backwards”.

“I have always been a straight shooter – ready to fight for the Territory,” she said.

“I’ve been a strong voice on crime, domestic violence, remote jobs, and investing in the Territory.

“Over the past three years we have invested billions into the Northern Territory.

“Roads, houses, park upgrades, remote services, more funding for hospitals, lower taxes. We cannot afford to have these cut.”

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour, NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Solomon MP Luke Gosling, and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Gosling said there was “a lot at stake” this election.

“Peter Dutton, and the Liberals, have already said they’ll increase taxes if elected – meaning Territorians will make less, and keep less of what they earn,” he said.

“They’ve already said they’ll shut down our Free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics – which have already helped Territorians on 20,000 different occasions in Palmerston alone, since 2023.

“This is on top of the over 30,000 jobs they’ll cut from the public service – including right here at home in the Northern Territory.

“This election we have a clear choice; a re-elected Labor government delivering for all Territorians, or a Dutton-led government cutting Medicare, education funding, and services Territorians rely on.”

Ms Bayliss said the Territory had been “taken for granted by Canberra” for too long.

“I’m running to be someone who isn’t just going to toe the party line, but really stands up for what Darwin and Palmerston needs,” she said.

“As a police officer for over 30 years, I’ve seen the difference between strong and weak governments when it comes to crime.

“I’ll work with Lia Finocchiaro and the new CLP team to keep our streets safe and invest in solving the root causes of anti-social behaviour.

“By getting the economy back on track we’ll lower the cost of living starting with saving you $14 every time you fill up the car.”

In Solomon, Climate 200 backed independent Phil Scott has also nominated.

The NT Greens are expected to announce candidates for Lingiari, Solomon and the senate next week.

Originally published as NT seats of Lingiari and Solomon in the mix for May 3 federal election