Speculation Alice Springs town councillor Eli Melky could join Palmer United Party after quitting CLP

ALICE Springs town councillor Eli Melky has confirmed he has quit the CLP, amid rumoured links to the Palmer United Party.

Council by election. A quiet but confident Eli Melky looks forward to the final results from last Saturdays alreman election...

ALICE Springs town councillor Eli Melky has confirmed he has quit the CLP, amid rumoured links to the Palmer United Party.

Mr Melky would not be drawn on the rumour but confirmed he was currently not a member of Clive Palmer’s party, headed in the NT by Alison Anderson.

“Alison is someone I respect. As to what I will do in my future, it’s a free and democratic country,” Mr Melky said.

He said he has resigned as deputy treasurer and policy chair of the CLP on Monday.

“I am not prepared to discuss the reason” he said.

“It is a decision I called time on the CLP, it was the right thing to do for myself and for what I believe.”

BUSH TRIO’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY AT JOINING FIRST NATION’S POLITICAL PARTY

Mr Melky, a real estate agent and former Alice Spring radio host, joined the party in 2008, hoping to gain pre-selection in the Alice Springs seat of Braitling. But he was overlooked in favour of now Chief Minister Adam Giles and contested as an independent.

He also unsuccessfully sought CLP pre-selection for the seat of Araluen in 2010.

Betting agencies have taken bets on the Palmer United Party to win the next election at long odds of $9.