Cunningham: Administrator Hugh Heggie appears to have expressed ALP support

A story that went almost unnoticed during this year’s federal election campaign involved the NT’s Administrator appearing to express support for the Australian Labor Party, writes Matt Cunningham.

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM and Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro is sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory at a ceremony at Government House. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It’s rare for a state government’s antics to outdo some of what we’ve seen in the Territory in the past decade, but for the past two weeks, Tasmania has been making a pretty good go of it. A fortnight of chaos that began with a vote of no-confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff reached its conclusion on Wednesday when Governor Barbara Barker agreed to Mr Rockliff’s request for an election.

This wasn’t a decision she took lightly, taking two days to mull on the request before making a decision that will see Tasmanians go to the polls on July 19.

The Tasmanian situation is a reminder of the extraordinary powers that reside with state governors and the Governor-General as the Crown’s representatives in Australia.

Students of politics will well remember Governor-General Sir John Kerr’s dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975.

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie as Territorians paused to reflect on Remembrance Day in Darwin, 2024. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

All of this brings us to a curious story that went almost unnoticed during this year’s federal election campaign. On April 30, the ABC reported Northern Territory Administrator Hugh Heggie (who holds similar powers to state governors) appeared to have expressed support for the Australian Labor Party ahead of the May 3 election.

The report said Professor Heggie appeared to have submitted his political views to the ABC’s Your Say election forum. An email from an account confirmed to belong to Professor Heggie wrote: “ALP has a strong and responsible approach to its social policies and activities as well as the environment, energy, remote First Nations peoples, employment, defence and its global responsibilities.”

According to the ABC, when Professor Heggie was contacted for comment, a spokesperson did not deny he had submitted the remark but said the Administrator “does not publicly express political preferences or engage in political activities”.

The spokesperson went on to say: “As a non-partisan role it would not be appropriate for the Administrator to disclose a preference in the outcome of this weekend’s federal election.” Absolutely.

Which begs the question as to why he appears to have done just that, and whether it is still right he hold office?

On his appointment, Professor Heggie swore an oath or affirmation where he promised “that I will do right to all manner of people according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”.

His Honour Professor the Honourable Hugh Heggie AO PSM at the NT Board of Studies Awards on Friday 31 January at Parliament House. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

There must now be an apprehended bias, if not a real one, that his judgement could be clouded by his obvious political allegiance.

This might not matter when he’s cutting ribbons and opening envelopes, and it certainly doesn’t mean he isn’t incredibly experienced, but it should be remembered the Administrator has the power to terminate the appointment of a government minister “at any time”, even if convention dictates his role is largely ceremonial.

Professor Heggie’s apparent contribution to the ABC’s election coverage also raises questions about his previous role as the NT’s chief health officer.

For the best part of two years following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Professor Heggie stood beside Chief Minister Michael Gunner to deliver independent medical advice about the coronavirus.

We were told lockdowns, border closures and mandatory vaccination were all being ordered on the best available medical advice.

At the time, one of great fear, these measures proved incredibly popular and likely helped Gunner and the ALP win the 2020 Northern Territory election.

We now have a pretty good indication about which party the man charged with giving the independent health advice likely wanted to win that election.

Eighteen months after that poll, the re-elected Labor Government appointed Professor Heggie as Administrator.

Former NT Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie and then Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing CHO directions for mandatory Vaccine Picture Julianne Osborne

It’s a plum job that comes with a salary of more than $300,000, a magnificent residence on the cliffs of the Darwin Esplanade, a private chef and a chauffeur.

The only real requirement is that you remain politically impartial. Right now the Territory appears to be enjoying a period of relative political stability.

But as we learnt following the 2012 election, things can change quickly. Terry Mills led the CLP to that victory, winning 16 seats, just one fewer than the party holds today. But within seven months Mills had been rolled, and before the term was out the CLP was in a minority government.

It’s not hard to envisage a scenario where the NT Administrator could find himself in the same position the Tasmanian Governor faced this week; forced to make a decision that will have serious political implications.

Will we be able to trust that he would make that decision without fear or favour, affection or ill-will?

When Gough Whitlam was sacked by Sir John Kerr in 1975, he famously remarked: “Well may we say God save the Queen, because nothing will save the Governor-General.” Today we might ask if anything should save the Territory’s Administrator?