Safe for Territory election to go ahead in August, Chief Minister Michael Gunner declares

IF TERRITORIANS can buy an eggs benedict or drink wine at a restaurant, they can cast a vote, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said, declaring the August election can go ahead safely.

If Territorians can buy an eggs benedict or drink wine at a restaurant, they can cast a vote, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said, declaring the August election can go ahead safely. Picture: Amos Aikman

IF TERRITORIANS can buy an eggs benedict or drink wine at a restaurant, they can cast a vote, Chief Minister Michael Gunner has said, declaring the August election can go ahead safely.

Indigenous communities have criticised the Government’s decision to go ahead with the August 22 poll, as nine biosecurity areas restricting travel in and out of remote areas remain active.

The Chief Minister’s opponents, including Territory Alliance, have blasted him for not shifting the date out to October, which is technically possible.

Mr Gunner, arguing fixed four-year terms meant he had no say in picking the August date, told the NT News the NT Electoral Commission (NTEC) was currently working toward protocols for a “new normal” election.

“Obviously, we are stepping out of our lockdown protocols,” he said.

“If you can get an eggs benedict, you can cast a vote … if you can go to Buley Rock Hole, you can cast a vote.”

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The issue facing NTEC is that the Territory’s internal borders prevent them from deploying staff to communities to undertake face-to-face voter enrolment campaigns.

Formal voter turnout in the NT, at 72 per cent in the 2016 poll, is already the lowest in the nation.

NTEC commissioner Iain Loganathan confirmed a COVID-19 management plan, still under development, would be made public “in the coming weeks”.

The plan takes into consideration biosecurity zone restrictions, due to be reviewed on June 18, and will be adjusted if those are lifted.

“The main impact at this stage is that the NTEC has had to postpone its face-to-face remote enrolment campaign,” Mr Loganathan said.

“An extensive media and social media driven remote enrolment campaign using in-language radio/social media and TV advertising will roll out from the middle of this month.”

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Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills accused Mr Gunner of not valuing indigenous participation in the democratic process by not pushing the election date out.

“It was a concern before COVID-19 and it’s an even bigger concern now,” he said.