Mills backs Territory Alliance candidate who ran for far-right party

Terry Mills has said a Territory Alliance candidate with far-right links did the wrong thing by running for the Rise Up party last years but said she he trusts that she has grown from that.

Territory Alliance founder Terry Mills has backed the integrity of candidate Regina McCarthy. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

• Mills open to CLP deal on election preferences
• Territory Alliance’s new candidates revealed
• NT’s newest political party officially in the race
• Hero cop takes on Terry Mills in seat of Blain

Terry Mills has backed the integrity of a Territory Alliance candidate who ran for far-right political party Rise Up Australia in the 2019 federal election.

On ABC Radio Darwin, the Territory Alliance founder supported Daly candidate Regina McCarthy, who ran for the seat of Lingiari in the 2019 federal election with the Rise Up party.

The Rise Up party strongly advocates against multiculturalism and Muslim immigration.

“She’s a very genuine person,” Mr Mills said.

“She’s an indigenous lady, well respected within Daly River and the Port Keats community.

TERRITORY Alliance announces first four candidates

“I know the lady, I know her character and I completely trust what she’s had to say and I think we should be able to put cynicism aside and recognise that there is a capacity for people to grow and to learn and to reward those that make that kind of progress.

“We just can’t keep ourselves entrenched in positions and firing shots at each other.

“We’ve got to be able to grow up as a community and admit we’ve done the wrong thing and move forward.”

Seat of Daly Territory Alliance candidate Regina McCarthy. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

In November when Mr Mills announced his first few candidates, Ms McCarthy said her views had “evolved” since being part of the far-right party.

“Those (views) are reserved for that time,” she said.

“People do grow in their thinking and develop their ways and ideas.

“I have made the decision to stand with Territory Alliance.

“This is where I am and I’m very happy to be here.”

TERRITORY Alliance announces Johnston candidate

Mr Mills hinted at new candidates possibly being announced following the Johnston by-election.

“We’ve had interest from Katherine,” he said.

“Our focus at the moment is the Johnston by-election and preparing for what happens immediately afterwards.

IN OTHER NEWS

“There’s a reach into Katherine, Alice Springs and also in the remote communities.”

In response to being named the NT News’ Most Powerful person in the Territory, and being described as an “extremely dangerous species”, Mr Mills said: “I thought I’d keep under the radar and be the Uber of Territory politics and disrupt things a bit.”