4,500 new permanent residents in NT in new twist to second seat Canberra debate

DESPITE the Electoral Commission arguing the NT was short 4,778 people to have a second seat in March, the Territory has now added 4,500 permanent residents since borders reopened

THOUSANDS of new Territorians could ensure the NT keeps its endangered second Federal seat as a Labor senator lashed the Australian Electoral Commission.

It comes as a Bill to protect the seat of Lingiari is set to be voted on in the Federal Senate on Wednesday and potentially voted in the House of Representatives late in the week.

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Speaking in Canberra on Wednesday, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said NT Government statistics showed 4,500 people had permanently relocated to the Territory since borders reopened.

“But the Northern Territory is going to lose a seat – has lost a seat as far as the AEC is concerned – because we are short of 4,778 residents in the Northern Territory,” Ms McCarthy said.

“That decision was back in March.”

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said it was vital the Northern Territory retains two House of Representatives seats in the federal parliament. Picture: Che Chorley

She said the influx of new residents positioned the NT to be the “comeback capital of Australia,” claiming it was now the safest place in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Ms McCarthy said it was also unfair that Territorians had no consultation on the loss of a seat, despite redistributions in other states being presented the opportunity.

“We basically just miss out on making the quota for having two seats,” she said.

It comes after renegade Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce on Tuesday threw his weight behind keeping the second seat.