Senator Sam McMahon ‘very confident’ in retaining top senate spot
Despite facing three challengers for her spot at the top of the CLP’s senate ticket, Senator Sam McMahon has claimed she’s “confident” she’ll stay put.
Northern Territory
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SENATOR Sam McMahon has played down fears she’ll be knocked off the hotly contested top spot of the CLP’s ticket.
There are three challengers for her first place in the CLP’s senate ticket, including Alice Springs Deputy Mayor Jacinta Price.
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Also running was Lia Finocchiaro’s chief of staff Tim Dixon and Defence NT veterans engagement director Linda Fazldeen.
Ms Price earlier this week said she was excited about nominating for the position.
When asked what she thought of the tough competition, Senator McMahon put on a brave face.
“I am very confident that the CLP will continue my endorsement for the number one spot on the Senate ticket,” she said.
“I believe my track record of delivering for the Territory across a diverse range of areas speaks for itself.”
Senator McMahon listed off a number of achievements in office as reasons for her confidence, including “increased funding for roads, health, defence and education” and including Darwin, Alice Springs and Yulara in half-price flights.
She also spruiked the recently announced $10bn reinsurance pool for Northern Australia and a forestry hub in the Katherine and Daly regions.
Long-time party servant Linda Fazldeen, who is the wife of former deputy chief minister Peter Styles, is also a frontrunner.
Now working as the director of defence and veterans engagement at Defence NT, Fazldeen confirmed she had thrown her hat in the ring.
“I am a long term member of the party and committed to values and principles of the CLP,” she said.
“I stood before as the CLP’s second senate candidate in the 2013 election and again for 2019 preselection but wasn’t successful.
“I was disappointed. There are so many reasons that I’d want to stand. I believe I would be an effective senator.
“I’m personally invested here in the Territory. My driving motivation is to get the most and best advantages for the Northern Territory.
In 2017 Linda was admitted as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia’ for significant service to women as an advocate in business leadership, to public administration and to the community.’
She is also named the #23 in the NT News 100 most powerful women list.
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