Find out why voters wore Budgie Smugglers to vote around the country
Federal election voters across the country turned out to polling booths wearing just Budgie Smugglers. FIND OUT WHY
Northern Territory
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VOTERS and Electoral Commission staff at Darwin’s Eaton polling station copped an eyeful on Friday morning when a bloke wearing nothing but a pair of budgie smugglers turned up to cast his vote.
VOTERS and Electoral Commission staff at Darwin’s Eaton polling station copped an eyeful on Friday morning when a bloke wearing nothing but a pair of budgie smugglers turned up to cast his vote.
Vision shot at the time shows the man was completely unconcerned about his relative state of undress.
An eye-witness told the NT News the man’s arrival was greeted with surprise and laughter.
It’s unclear for whom he voted.
Turns out the brand, Budgy Smuggler, is offering voters a free pair of togs if they snap themselves voting in their Budgys.
Budgy Smuggler has confirmed all those who post will have their vouchers sent to them on Monday.
Candidates hit the polling booths
ELECTION 2022 is officially under way and the candidates are hitting the hustings in a bid to secure last minute votes as Territorians go to the polls to decide the nation’s next government.
Speaking after casting his vote in Parap on Saturday morning, incumbent Labor Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, said it had been a long campaign over the past six weeks but “I think the vibe is good”.
“I’m picking up a vibe for change, that people want to see a change in the federal government,” he said.
“Here locally, I’ve been really encouraged by people’s support so far on pre-poll and I’ll be out there all day today until stumps.”
Mr Gosling said the seat, which he holds by a margin of 3.1 per cent, had been known as a bellwether electorate in the past and he was hopeful of extending his margin.
“It has been in the past quite a small margin but I’m confident that people see that we’ve got a plan for the future and that federal Labor always invests in the Territory,” he said.
“So I think people will make a decision based on that today but we’ll be fighting for every last vote because we really need to see a change in the federal government.”
Labor’s nearest rival for the hearts and minds of Top End voters, the Country Liberal Party’s Tina MacFarlane, said she was excited that polls had opened and her destiny was now in the hands of her fellow Territorians.
“I’ve put my best foot forward and I really do hope they decide I’m the best person to represent them in Solomon,” she said.
Ms MacFarlane said law and order and a perceived spike in crime throughout the Territory were among the biggest issues weighing on taxpayers in this year’s poll.
“But there’s a lot of other things, little hidden ones in the background, a bit like aged care, that is concerning some of the people,” she said.
“We need more facilities, also with CDU, a medical facility there, and climate change creeps in a little bit but the Morrison government’s got a target of net zero by 2050.”
The long time Territorian and small business owner said the economy and jobs were two of the issues separating the two major parties.
“I know we’ve got a bit of a job shortage, we can’t get enough people to work up here, but in order to stimulate the economy you need future jobs,” she said.
“We’ve got resources galore up here, I want to see manufacturing really kick in up here, they’ve committed a lot of funds to expand defence and I just think the Territory, we’re at the cusp of really something fantastic and we need a strong, loud voice in Canberra.”
CLP turncoat and sitting Liberal Democrats Senator, Sam McMahon, said she was optimistic about turning her orange upper house seat a shade of navy blue.
“I hate to sort of predict which way it’s going to go, (but) it’s certainly been very positive out on the polling booths so I would be quite confident of retaining the senate and hopefully picking up one of the lower house seats,” she said.
Ms McMahon said while she would leave politics with some regret if the vote didn’t go her way, there was no bad blood with her colleagues in Canberra since switching sides.
“I’m still friends with them, they’re still friends with me,” she said.
“(But) yes, I would have preferred it to have ended differently if I don’t get re-elected.”
Australian electoral officer for the NT, Geoff Bloom, said election day was where the rubber hit the road for the AEC, with staff gearing up for a long night ahead.
“Today’s a really big day for the AEC here in the NT, as it is nationally,” he said.
“We’ve got 39 voting centres open today, right across the NT, we’ve employed over 600 staff working in the polling locations, they’ll operate right through until 9pm tonight, after which time we’ll start to count those votes.
“In Darwin we have a very large count centre that’ll be operating tonight, we’ll have over 100 count staff counting those votes and we might got deep into the night.”
The queues at the Parap polling booth had dwindled by about lunchtime but long lines were snaking down Mitchell St from the interstate voting centre for much of the morning.
‘Instability’: ScoMo’s subtle swipe at NT government
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has taken a swipe at the Territory Labor government for leadership “instability”, saying he wanted more focus on soaring crime rates in the NT, as he doubled down on the Coalition’s claim that $1.5b of federal funding will go toward building a second Darwin Port.
Mr Morrison, speaking in the Palmerston suburb of Zuccoli with the CLP’s Solomon and Lingiari candidates Tina MacFarlane and Damien Ryan, said the NT government needed to be focused on crime issues, rather than its leadership.
It follows Michael Gunner’s shock resignation a week ago, which triggered a leadership race ultimately won by Natasha Fyles.
“We’ve had further changes here,” Mr Morrison said on Tuesday.
“I mean, I’ve worked really close with Mr Gunner,” he said.
But Mr Morrison then said Territorians were more focused on staggering increases in crime levels across the NT.
“We’ve got serious issues with law and order across the Territory,” he said.
The CLP has promised $14m of federal money to address crime in Alice Springs, a pledge matched by Labor.
Mr Morrison also waded into the continuing confusion over $1.5b in funding for Middle Arm, which was described in the 2022-23 federal budget as for new “port facilities”.
The federal government’s proposed purpose of the facility was at odds with then-Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s vision of an industrial manufacturing precinct. Mr Gunner said it wouldn’t serve the same purpose as the existing Chinese-leased Darwin Port.
It led to speculation the $1.5b federal cash injection was designed to get around the existing port.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Morrison said the new port would “revolutionise the Territory”.
“In terms of the development of significant port facilities here in the territory, it’s all part of the Middle Arm Program,” he said.
“This is one of the biggest transformational investments in the Northern Territory that we’ve ever seen.
“We know what can be achieved up here in the Northern Territory, and we’re very excited that no federal government has ever committed more to a more ambitious program development development territory.”
Mr Morrison has copped a grilling from Labor during this campaign over his involvement with the controversial 99-year lease of the existing port to Chinese-owned Landbridge when he was Treasurer in 2015. Local Labor politicians have erected signs slamming the CLP and the Coalition for the sale.
Labor insiders playing up chances of win in Lingiari
LABOR is feeling confident it will retain the federal seat of Lingiari, despite visits from high-profile Coalition politicians and the departure of long-time MP Warren Snowdon.
Party insiders have told the NT News internal polling shows Labor narrowly keeping Lingiari. Even with swings toward the CLP in Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek, the party thinks remote voting will favour Labor comfortably.
Its candidate Marion Scrymgour is facing off against the CLP’s Damien Ryan, who is the former Alice Springs mayor.
They also have pointed to recent YouGov polling released by The Australian, which shows both Solomon and Lingiari being won by Labor, and said it was in line with party expectations.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister have both visited the Territory since campaigning began in April, pledging billions in economic development and crime prevention.
LINGIARI EARLY VOTING NUMBERS
LABOR candidate Marion Scrymgour and CLP candidate Damien Ryan are neck and neck in Lingiari, according to recent exit polls in Alice Springs and Coolalinga.
The NT News surveyed Territorians at pre-polling booths in Alice Springs and Coolalinga to determine who is likely to win the federal election on May 21.
Early results show the Labor and CLP are tied with 36 per cent of the votes each, as of Wednesday.
The Greens hold a smaller percentage of voter favourability with just over 17 per cent.
Minor right leaning parties trail behind with United Australia Party getting just over 5 per cent and One Nation at just over 2 per cent.
Ms Scrymgour is running for Labor in the seat previously held by Warren Snowden who did not contest the 2022 federal election after announcing his retirement from politics.
The exit polls survey included 100 voters at Mbantua Building’s pre-polling booth in Alice Springs on May 10 and 11 and 100 voters at Coolalinga Central’s pre-polling booth on May 9.
Despite holding a minority of the overall vote, One Nation candidate Tim Gillard, who attended pre-polls in Alice Springs, said he believed One Nation was the solution to the current crime crisis in the Red Centre.
“We need to bring back words like responsibility, discipline, accountability,” he said.
“These along with fear of God will transform the landscape very quickly.”
SOLOMON PREFERENCES REVEALED
LABOR’S Luke Gosling is slightly ahead of the CLP in the battle for the seat of Solomon, according to News Corp’s national pre-polling booth exit poll.
The NT News surveyed the two Solomon pre-polling voting centres in Darwin and Palmerston as part of a national plan to determine what party is likely to win in the upcoming federal election.
Labor is leading the marginal seat with 41 per cent of voters choosing Mr Gosling as their first preference.
The CLP’s Tina MacFarlane is close behind with 38 per cent of voters choosing a Liberal government.
Interstate traveller Heather, who wished to only give her first name, voted in the Darwin CBD on Monday and said she chose the Coalition because of how they handled the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I don’t think it was perfect but I don’t think Labor would have done any better,” she said.
“We need to have less attitude and more gratitude – I’m just thankful I live in Australia.
“I voted Labor last time, I’m a swing voter,” she said.
“I can’t vote for a party who didn’t handle the pandemic.”
Early results show The Greens hold nine per cent of surveyed votes with the Liberal Democrats having three and a half per cent.
One Nation and United Australia Party both share two and a half per cent of votes each.
Early voter and Palmerston resident Luigi, 48, who didn’t want his surname published, said he struggled to find his preferred candidate on the ballot paper.
“Voting should be easier, so many parties have similar names and it’s confusing,” he said.
“They should have different colours to represent each party.”
The survey asked 100 voters at a pre-polling booth in Darwin City on May 9 and a further 100 voters at a Palmerston pre-polling booth on May 11.
The federal election will be held on May 21.
CANDIDATES REVEAL THEIR PREFERENCES
NT FEDERAL election candidates have revealed how they will preference other parties on the voting ballot, as pre-poll sites open.
In Solomon, the CLP have preferenced the Liberal Democrats while Labor has The Greens in second place on the ballot card with The Greens preferencing Labor.
CLP and Labor candidates in Lingiari have preferenced Liberal Democrats and The Greens respectively.
Hundreds of Territorians have queued to vote early in the pre-polls since 8.30am on Monday.
Local and interstate travellers took to early voting centre across the Territory in order to get voting “over and done with”.
Howard Springs resident Glen Holland, 45, told The NT News he couldn’t imagine not voting early.
“The rush will be bad on election day,” he said.
“I researched each candidate and party before and knew who I’d vote for.”
Stuart Park resident Bianca Diamond turned up early to place her vote with The Greens.
“With young people we care a bit more about the environment and that’s sort of what they stand for, especially against fracking,” she said.
“You need to have a say what happens in your country, your vote is powerful.
“And if you don’t vote then you don’t get to complain about the political situation,” Ms Diamond said.
“Go vote man, it’s easy. You can go early, go on your lunch break, go on the actual day and get your free sausage,” Ms Diamond said.
Early interstate voters, Glenn Plunkett, 65, and wife Robyn Plunkett, 70, are relocating to Darwin City from the Gold Coast.
“We arrived here about a month ago and are currently staying with our son in Humpty Doo,” Mr Plunkett said.
“It’s good. We’re relieved to get voting done early,” Mrs Plunkett said.
Solomon and Lingiari seats are both hotly contested in the upcoming Federal election.
Labor’s Luke Gosling held onto Solomon by 3.1 per cent and Labor’s Warren Snowdon retained Lingiari by 5.5 per cent back in 2019.
EARLY voting opened for the 2022 federal election on Monday May 9.
The latest Territorians can cast their ballots is at 6pm on Saturday May 21, when polls close and the counting begins.
Ahead of the opening of early voting centres, we’ve compiled a list of every polling place letting Territorians beat the rush and cast their vote early.
This list will be updated as new voting centres are added by the Australian Electoral Commission.
Scroll down to find your nearest early voting centre.
GREATER DARWIN
1 Briggs Street, Darwin City
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
Coolalinga Central, 425 Stuart Hwy, Coolalinga
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
15 Palmerston Circuit, Palmerston
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Eaton Multi Purpose Facility, 11 Osgood Dr, Eaton
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Fri 20 May 8am – 6pm
ALICE SPRINGS
Mbantua Building, 7/64 Todd St, Alice Springs
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
REGIONAL NORTHERN TERRITORY
Barkly Regional Council, Civic Hall 41 Peko Rd, Tennant Creek
Wed 18 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
16 Second Street, Katherine
Mon 9 May – Fri 13 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat 14 May 9am – 4pm
Mon 16 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
Jabiru Community Hall, 11 Van Delft St, Jabiru
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
Nhulunbuy Primary School, 60 Chesterfield Cct, Nhulunbuy
Wed 18 May – Thu 19 May 8:30am – 5:30pm
Fri 20 May 8:30am – 6pm
Sat 21 May 8am – 6pm
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