Thousands spent on interstate volunteers to bolster NT election campaigns

Both the CLP and Territory Labor are spending thousands to fund interstate volunteers to help with their election campaigns – some southern uni students receiving flights and a hotel stay.

The major parties are spending thousands on FIFO volunteers for the NT election campaign. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Both the Country Liberal Party and Territory Labor are spending thousands to fund interstate volunteers to help with their election campaigns.

The NT News understands the CLP has had a particularly strong presence of southern university students door-knocking electorates, handing out flyers, and campaigning at polling booths, after being flown in to the NT and put up at hotels on the party dime.

Interstate volunteers Emma and Angus (orange shirts) doorknocking for the CLP.

Labor confirmed it expected about six interstate volunteers to bolster its numbers – both parties denying it indicated a struggle to find enough local support.

“As seen at our campaign launch and at the dozens of polling booths in operation across the Territory, we have an awesome crew of volunteers who generously give up their time,” NT ALP Branch secretary Karlee Dalton said.

“Volunteers usually undertake tasks in their own local neighbourhoods. If they travel to other parts of the Territory, such as to bush communities when mobile polling is taking place, and accommodation for them cannot be sourced from a local supporter the volunteer can stay in a motel. This cost is covered by the NT Australian Labor Party.

“Major parties often have a small portion of their volunteers come from interstate. But this election campaign, the CLP’s ranks in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice ranks are being swamped by university students from NSW, WA and QLD.

“I am expecting around a half dozen volunteers from interstate to participate in the NT ALP campaign. They will be staying in the homes of local supporters – not in hotels.”

CLP Territory director Alyson Hannam said there were “a handful” of interstate people who had taken up the opportunity to volunteer.

“Young volunteers from interstate often travel to elections for experience. Both the Young Liberals and Young Nationals fundraise to help run this program,” she said.

“There are a handful who have taken up this opportunity.

“It’s great to have young people interested in learning from our experienced local volunteers here on the ground, this should be encouraged not criticised.

“As you will see on the prepoll booths, we have countless hardworking local volunteers who are out supporting our CLP Team.”

NT Electoral Commission returns reveal the CLP has collected almost $1.2m over the past year to fund its campaign, while Labor received just shy of $750,000.