Lingiari candidates outline their top issues heading into the 2025 federal election

All of the candidates vying for your vote in the Top End seat of Lingiari make their pitch, outlining the key issues they are taking to the federal election. WHAT THEY’RE PROMISING TO DELIVER.

Candidates for Lingiari in the 2025 federal election.

Lingiari is one of the Australia’s most complex electorates, spanning almost the entire Northern Territory, from the Tiwi Islands to the Simpson Desert.

It has the lowest voter turnout in the country by far – just two thirds at the last election – and relies heavily on mobile polling stations to reach its many remote Aboriginal communities.

Labor has held Lingiari since its formation in 2001, but it is not considered a safe seat for the party.

Marion Scrymgour won with a less than one per cent margin in 2022, and the CLP is hoping this will be the year the seat tips the way of its candidate Lisa Siebert.

Here are the key issues each Lingiari candidate is promising to address if they win on May 3, in their own words.

Marion Scrymgour – Labor

Labor candidate for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour.

Cost of living, roads, and health are key issues in Lingiari this federal election.

Labor is delivering real, ongoing support through tax cuts for every taxpayer, subsidies for essential groceries in remote communities, and energy bill relief.

A $2.8bn investment will upgrade and make Northern Territory roads safer, connecting family and communities to necessary services across the Territory.

In health, Labor is delivering the largest investment in bulk billing in history and establishing seven Urgent Care Clinics across Lingiari to reduce pressure on hospitals.

I will continue to fight for the Territory — and only a Labor government will do the same.

Preferences: Labor is encouraging voters to preference the Greens 2nd, the CLP 3rd, and the IAPA’s Chris Tomlins last.

Peter Flynn – Citizens Party

Citizens Party candidate for Lingiari Peter Flynn. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Flynn did not respond to the NT News’ questions.

Preferences: Citizens Party is encouraging voters to preference the IAPA’s Chris Tomlins 2nd, the Greens 3rd, and Labor last.

Chris Tomlins – Indigenous Aboriginal Party of Australia

IAPA candidate for Lingiari Chris Tomlins.

Return kids on the street to their homeland communities. Reverse the NT Intervention, including reversing the de-funding of 160 homelands. Use mining royalty money held in the Canberra Aboriginal Benefit Account to fully resource homelands communities (not just for business start-ups like Aboriginal Investment NT). Promote two-way learning. Recognise Aboriginal law and culture in the Territory courts. I want us to make better use of our land and our people. This election is an opportunity for Territorians to move beyond the 19th century economy of resource extraction and ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’, into a dynamic future together for the sake of our grandchildren.

Preferences: Mr Tomlins is encouraging voters to preference the Greens 2nd, Labor 3rd, and One Nation last.

Blair McFarland – Greens

The Greens candidate for Lingiari Blair McFarland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

I will address poverty, community safety and integrity.

On poverty, the Greens will build more public housing, lower power prices by investing in renewables, increase Centrelink payments to above the poverty line, and stop price gouging.

Eliminating poverty will improve community safety. The Greens will focus on crime prevention, and fully fund programs to eliminate domestic and family violence, address substance abuse issues, and ensure young people are connected to their communities.

The major parties have lost touch. The Greens will ban corporate political donations, create a lobbyist register and legislate truth in political advertising. We can restore integrity to our democracy.

Preferences: The Greens are encouraging voters to preference the IAPA’s Chris Tomlins 2nd, Labor 3rd, and One Nation last.

Sakellarios Bairamis – One Nation

One Nation candidate for Lingiari Sakellarios Bairamis. Picture: Supplied.

Preventing youth crime, not just reacting: introduce mandatory sentencing for three-time offenders; reinstate bootcamps and collaborate with community elders and outstations to engage at-risk youth in positive societal contributions.

Reducing living costs: lowering power bills by 20 per cent by utilising coal during peak times; permanently cut fuel prices by 26c per litre.

Supporting families: implement family income splitting, allowing couples to share taxable income, saving up to $10,000 annually. Restore Australian values and ensure more money stays in Australians pockets.

Preferences: One Nation is encouraging voters to preference the Greens last.

Lisa Siebert – CLP

The CLP candidate for Lingiari Lisa Siebert.

Cost of living: halve the fuel excise for 12 months, saving families around $1500; cost of living tax offset of up to $1200. Deliver cheaper energy and cut wasteful government spending to get inflation and interest rates down.

Law and order: deliver a $750 million federal community safety package and support the CLP government to reduce crime. New laws and federal police support to crack down on criminals and drugs.

Back Small Business: lower taxes and strengthen competition policy to give small businesses a fair go.

Port of Darwin: secure the Port by facilitating its return to a government-approved operator.

Preferences: The CLP is encouraging voters to preference One Nation 2nd, the IAPA’s Chris Tomlins 3rd, and the Greens last.