List of eight considering CLP senate position

COUNTRY Liberal Party president Ron Kelly has ended speculation that he wants the Senate seat soon to be vacated by his close friend and former boss Nigel Scullion but there are plenty of candidates who do

The list of those putting their hands up for running for the CLP for the vacant number one spot on the Senate ticket.

COUNTRY Liberal Party president Ron Kelly has ended speculation that he wants the senate seat soon to be vacated by his close friend and former boss Nigel Scullion.

Mr Kelly, who had previously taken a nomination form for the position, sent an email to CLP members at 3.30 yesterday afternoon ruling himself out of the running.

He said that in the 10 days since Nigel Scullion’s retirement announcement there had been speculation that he would nominate for preselection as the CLP’s next Senate candidate.

“This speculation has been in part by my decision to consider the role and therefore not categorically ruling out nominating,” he said.

“Today I can categorically state that I am not nominating for preselection. In October last year I stood for and was elected as President of this great party.

“I gave a commitment upon election to serve as president for the term and beyond if I still enjoyed your support.

Ron Kelly said he thought the best way he could benefit the CLP Senate candidate rather than be that candidate. Picture: Supplied

“I intend to fully honour that commitment. While I believe that I have an excellent understanding of the necessary qualities and attributes that our Senator must exhibit, I further believe that the best way that I can deploy that understanding to benefit our party is to play my role in selecting our candidate, with you, the members.”

Among the list of other CLP members reportedly to have taken nomination forms for the senate preselection are former Minister Bess Price, Darwin City councillor Gary Haslett, financial adviser Tony Schelling, Tennant Creek deputy mayor Kris Civitarese, former senior Corrections staffer Tim Cross, Public servant Linda Fazeldeen and Senior Corrections officer Bill Yan.

Alice Springs local Joshua Burgoyne is already number two on the CLP senate ticket.

Nomination forms must be submitted by February 20 with preselection to take place in Darwin on March 9.

The senate preselection has become a source of contention with former CLP Chief Ministers, Shane Stone, Marshall Perron and Paul Everingham urging CLP management committee re-open nominations for an additional week to allow non-members to join the CLP and nominate.

“In all modesty the three most successful Chief Ministers in the CLP’s history are aligned on what needs to happen,” Mr Stone said.

“Those who are not CLP members can attach to their nomination an application for membership to be determined by Central Council. If the application is successful then they move forward for preselection consideration.”