Scott McConnell to challenge Dale Wakefield for Braitling seat
ROGUE independent MLA Scott McConnell says he will challenge his former Labor colleague Dale Wakefield for her seat of Braitling in the 2020 election
Northern Territory
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ROGUE independent MLA Scott McConnell says he will challenge his former Labor colleague Dale Wakefield for her seat of Braitling in the 2020 election.
The Member for Stuart announced last year he would not recontest his seat a few months before he was abruptly booted from the Labor caucus in December for publicly criticising Gunner Government decisions.
“I made it clear last February that I would not run for the seat of Stuart again but after all that’s happened I realised I can’t give up this fight,” he said.
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“I’ve been getting so many calls from people in Alice Springs urging me to stay in politics, so I thought I should.
“I think standing for the seat of Braitling will be the start of a new chapter for me.
“People are sick of politicians who don’t stand for anything and just toe the party line.
“The constituents need independent thinkers and anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a fierce advocate and willing to sacrifice to make sure we get heard.
“Look, I think the people in Braitling are looking to represent them someone to take their message to Darwin always.
“To take their message of the Territory being a lot more than just an underground carpark next to parliament or a $12 million grandstand at the Fannie Bay race club.”
The Alice Springs urban seat of Braitling is traditionally conservative.
The seat was held by all Country Liberal Party candidates and one independent before Ms Wakefield won during the 2016 election.
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But the Territory Families Minister did not seem concerned by the news that Mr McConnell would challenge her for the seat in an ABC Darwin radio interview Thursday.
“I think between now and next July there will be many people putting their hand up for Braitling, it is a marginal seat,” Ms Wakefield said.
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