Territory Alliance unveils NT’s youngest candidate in Fannie Bay as party’s ‘youth voice’

A THREE-way fight is brewing in Fannie Bay with Territory Alliance deploying a young, well-connected Darwin local in a bid to disrupt the vote at the August election

Territory Alliance’s youngest cadidate, Rebecca Jennings, who is contesting Fannie Bay, pictured with party leader Terry Mills. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A THREE-WAY fight is brewing in Fannie Bay with Territory Alliance deploying a young well-connected Darwin local in a bid to disrupt the vote at the August election.

Rebecca Jennings, a 27-year-old land manager at the Northern Land Council, will drive the party’s “youth voice” for the election.

Ms Jennings has been heavily involved in community organisations and programs over the years, including through the Darwin Youth Committee and as a former chair of youth outreach program Midnight Basketball.

MORE:

Darwin soccer makes history as first sport in Australia to welcome back crowds

Kakadu National Park opening date finally revealed

Plunge in NT economy drives plea to reopen borders

Territory Alliance unveils Fannie Bay candidate Rebecca Jennings. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

The seat of Fannie Bay, currently held by Chief Minister Michael Gunner, is also being contested by high-profile CLP candidate and former NT Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Tracey Hayes.

Ms Jennings said she was aware the campaign would be challenging.

Her motive for running is to break down the barriers to young people putting their hand up for political office.

“When you talk about politics with other young people, in a general sense there’s a lot of negative feedback around politics,” Ms Jennings said.

“When you investigate that a little bit further … it’s because they don’t actually know the process, they aren’t sure, there’s too much noise going on and there’s not simple answers for anything.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner

Tracey Hayes

“So they just choose to stay away and I want to stop that stigma and encourage them that it isn’t that scary. Please, you need to have a voice in the community.”

Territory Alliance Leader Terry Mills said the party had an opportunity to “set a whole new space” for young people.

“I’m excited that we can actually do something to inspire young people because it’s different, it’s new,” he said.

Get these amazing earbuds with an NT News subscription deal

Mr Gunner won 64.2 per cent of the vote in Fannie Bay at the 2016 election.