Retail union director Shlok Sharma ‘humbled’ to be confirmed as Territory Labor candidate for Wanguri
The Territory Labor Party is pinning its hopes on the retail union boss being able to sway hearts and minds in a seat that has been Nicole Manison’s stronghold for over a decade.
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Territory Labor has officially preselected retail union boss Shlok Sharma as its candidate for Wanguri, to replace retiring former deputy chief minister Nicole Manison.
The party also confirmed all its other incumbent members would be recontesting their seats, except for Port Darwin MLA Paul Kirby who last month announced he would be stepping away from politics at the August election.
Covering the northern Darwin suburbs of Buffalo Creek, Holmes, Leanyer, Wanguri, and most of Muirhead, the division of Wanguri has been held by Labor since 1989.
Ms Manison has been a popular candidate since her election more than a decade ago, winning with a comfortable 67.3 per cent two-party-preferred vote at the 2020 election.
Mr Sharma said he was “humbled” to be selected as Labor’s candidate for the seat.
“Supporting local, a strong economy starts with a homegrown, skilled local workforce. I will continue to advocate for the families and residents of Leanyer, Muirhead and Wanguri, for cost of living measures, more work, and continue to work to make our community safe” he said.
The 32-year-old is a popular union figure, heading up the NT branch of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.
Mr Sharma holds a law degree, and previously worked as a revenue analyst at the Department of Treasury and Finance and later as a senior adviser to federal Solomon MP Luke Gosling.
A born and bred Territorian, Mr Sharma has lived in the Wanguri electorate for 29 years, attending Alawa Primary School, Dripstone Middle School and Casuarina Senior College.
He grew up playing cricket for Tracy Village and later soccer for Casuarina FC, and has also served in several executive roles on the Indian Cultural Society and is currently their Public Officer.
Ms Manison announced she would not be recontesting Wanguri after an unsuccessful bid for Chief Minister in the reshuffle following Natasha Fyles’ exit over a shares scandal late last year.
“I am thrilled Shlok has put up his hand to represent the Wanguri electorate – the community he grew up in and loves as much as I do,” she said.
Before Ms Manison, the seat was held for 14 years by former chief minister Paul Henderson.
February 18: Labor reveals candidate to replace Nicole Manison
The Labor Party has preselected a new candidate to replace retiring former deputy chief minister Nicole Manison in the Wanguri electorate in Darwin’s northern suburbs.
The NT News understands popular union official Shlok Sharma has been preselected to contest the seat, which has been held by Labor since 1989.
The NT News reported earlier this month Mr Sharma and Wanguri resident Andrea Moriarty were contesting the electorate.
The margin of Mr Sharma’s victory is unclear but a source said he won the preselection ballot comfortably.
Mr Sharma, who heads the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, could not be contacted on Friday.
In his role with the union, Mr Sharma was not afraid to challenge the Labor government, criticising former chief minister Natasha Fyles after an SDA member lost an eye during an evening attack by youths at a Malak service station last year.
He called out the government for breaking its promise made after the shocking death of bottleshop employee Declan Laverty in March to conduct workplace safety audits.
Labor is expected to release the names of candidates preselected candidates early this week, possibly as soon as Monday.
Six months out from the August 24 Territory election, both political parties are finalising candidate preselection, with the CLP expected to wrap-up by the time delegates assemble for its quarterly Central Council at Mataranka next weekend.
The party has announced four candidates so far in Top End electorates: Matthew Kerle in Blain, Clinton Howe in Drysdale, Kris Civitarese in Daly and Andrew Mackay in Goyder.
Mr Mackay, a Litchfield Council alderman, received a significant boost to his prospects of being elected to parliament when Goyder MLA Kezia Purick this week announced her retirement after 16 years in the job.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Mackay praised Ms Purick’s contribution to the Rural Area and said he would be taking nothing for granted.
“Kezia Purick has been a fantastic members for Goyder and leaves very big shoes to fill,” he said.
The CLP has kept nominations open for Araluen and Mulka, which are held by independents Robyn Lambley and Yingiya Guyula.
It’s not clear yet whether the party will announce candidates at Central Council or at another time.
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