High profile candidate among CLP preselection

One very high profile candidate is among seven to be announced for the Country Liberal Party to run in next year’s Territory election.

Gerard Maley

High profile Alice Springs mayor Damien Ryan will run for the Country Liberal Party against Araluen independent Robyn Lambley at next year’s Territory election.

Mr Ryan was one of seven NT election candidates who had their preselection confirmed at the Party’s Central Council meeting yesterday.

The party named three born and bred Territorians — Gerard Maley (Nelson), Marie-Clare Boothby (Brennan) and Joshua Burgoyne (Braitling).

The seven named include the CLP Opposition Leader Gary Higgins (Daly) and Deputy Leader Lia Finocchiaro (Spillett).

The other candidate named was long term Territorian Bill Yan (Namatjira), who is the General manager at the Alice Springs Correction Centre.

Mr Maley is the brother of Peter Maley, who was the member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2005.

Unlike his brother who held Goyder, Mr Maley will contest the seat of Nelson which is being vacated by independent Gerry Wood.

Mr Maley said he wanted to continue the work of Mr Wood who he said had been a warrior for his electorate.

“Gerry has been an absolute soldier in the electorate and I want to continue his legacy,” Mr Maley said.

He said there was a lot of anger towards the Northern Territory Government.

“People are clear in their thinking that the Gunner Government has failed the Territory,” Mr Maley said.

“I’m born and bred and I haven’t seen things this bad in the Territory ever. This Labor Government has abjectly failed Territorians..”

Fellow born and bred Territorian Marie-Clare Boothby said as a business woman she is appalled by the state of our economy.

“Labor have plunged us into debt with no plan or leadership,” she said. “Also the crime crisis we are suffering is devastating our community. The people of Palmerston should be able to feel safe and they don’t and Labor is doing nothing about it.”

Mayor Ryan echoed his colleague’s sentiments.

“I’m running because the Gunner Government has failed Alice Springs on all manner of things,” Mr Ryan said. “I want to get a better deal for the Alice and after 11 years of local government I think the best way to do that is at the seat of government.”