Seat of Lingiari to be protected: Deputy PM

AFTER months of debate and pressure, the Northern Territory has learned the fate of its endangered second seat

THE Federal Government has come to the party in ensuring the Northern Territory retains its second seat, after months of uncertainty and debate over whether it would be abolished.

The Australian Electoral Commission first made the decision to reduce the NT to just one seat in July based on population shifts, sparking calls from Labor and some Nationals MPs to protect two-seat representation.

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A Labor Bill to prohibit abolishing the seat of Lingiari was put up in the Federal Senate this week.

Speaking to radio on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister said the Government would support protecting the seat of Lingiari from being abolished by the AEC in a new Bill.

“The Northern Territory should have two representatives in the House,” Mr McCormack said on Mix104.9.

“I understand regional representation is important,” he said.

“We’ll put a Bill forward that ensures there is two-seat representation for the Northern Territory.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has promised the NT will keep its second seat. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Mr McCormack said he had long been consistent on the NT having two seats, and denied that Barnaby Joyce “broke ranks” earlier this week in voicing support for Lingiari being retained.

“I had an op-ed, what’s called an opinion piece, in the wonderful NT News – my favourite newspaper – extolling the virtues of more regional representation, not less,” he said.

Mr McCormack also weighed in on the population debate, saying the Territory should be growing its cities and towns to ensure it doesn’t lose its second seat under AEC quotas.

“What I’d like to see is the Northern Territory grow its population such that it doesn’t even come into question.”

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy welcomed the news. Picture: Che Chorley

Reacting to the interview, Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said Mr McCormack’s announcement was “wonderful to hear.”

“It's’s a real breakthrough to have the Government come to the table and say that it’s looking very likely this is the direction we are now going to go,” Ms McCarthy said.

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Despite saying Liberals had initially opposed protecting the second seat, Ms McCarthy said she was now negotiating with Senator Mathias Cormann.