SEAT IN FOCUS: Health Minister Natasha Fyles not taking any chances despite huge margin

Considered the safest seat in the NT, sitting Labor MLA Natasha Fyles is taking no chances despite the added advantage of having her profile significantly boosted during the coronavirus pandemic.

NT ELECTION 2020: Candidate for Nightcliff Melita McKinnon (Territory Alliance, Natasha Fyles (NT Labor), Billee McGinley (NT Greens), Steven Doherty (CLP). Photos: NT News/ Supplied

CONSIDERED the safest seat in the NT, sitting Labor MLA and health minister Natasha Fyles is coming into the 2020 election with the added advantage of a boosted profile amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The NT Greens, who have increased their vote in Nightcliff over the years, appear confident of denting Labor’s 26.9 per cent margin by using the lifting of the moratorium on fracking as a central pillar in its campaign.

But Charles Darwin University academic Professor Rolf Gerritsen believes this will have little to no impact in the inner-urban “left wing-ish” seat.

“People who intend to vote Green will be very agitated and use the moratorium as a reason as to why they would vote that way,” he said.

Greens candidate Billee McGinley, a scientist who lives in Rapid Creek, said voters she had spoken to were moving to the Greens due to NT Labor’s stance on fracking.

“(Fracking) is a big focus but not my only focus, I’m interested also in a strong sustainable economy that distributes wealth more fairly,” she said.

Ms Fyles, who has held the seat since 2012, said she was “passionate” about action on climate change and protecting the environment.

“Territory Labor is delivering more renewables and have made significant progress towards our target of 50 per cent by 2030 with renewables projected to reach 16 per cent by the end of 2020,” she said.

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There are four confirmed candidates for Nightcliff: Ms Fyles, Ms McGinley, CLP’s Steven Doherty and Territory Alliance’s Melita McKinnon.

Ms McKinnon, a project manager at Menzies School of Health and Research, said she “absolutely” knew how tough it would be to claim the seat of Nightcliff

“If I can’t beat her, as long as I can change things … if we can see some changes in the Nightcliff area then I think I’ve achieved a lot,” she said.

Issues around crime, safety, better infrastructure, particularly around road infrastructure to keep up with urban growth, will be Territory Alliance’s focus in that seat.

The NT’s latest seat redistribution, where a section of Coconut Grove moved from the seat of Fannie Bay to Nightcliff, is expected to have very little impact on Ms Fyles’ margin.

ABC election analyst Antony Green has predicted the margin change in Nightcliff would be a 0.2 per cent dip from 26.9 per cent to 26.7 per cent.

PREDICTION: Labor hold.

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

Natasha Fyles, NT Labor (Incumbent)

I have been a strong voice for the Nightcliff community for over eight years, and in this term of government have delivered over $55 million in projects for the electorate.

From the new Nightcliff police station and surrounding redevelopment, to the expansion of the Nightcliff Renal Centre. Plus the installation of additional CCTV, upgrades to Nightcliff Oval, and investment into local schools including rooftop solar.

I am passionate about protecting the environment, acting on climate change, and investing more in renewables. Territory Labor is delivering more renewables and have made significant progress towards our target of 50% by 2030 with renewables projected to reach 16% by the end of 2020.

I am active member of my community, being patron of many local sporting clubs, and belong to the local primary and middle school councils.

NT Greens candidate for Nightcliff, Bille McGinley. Photo: Supplied

Billee McGinley, NT Greens

Nightcliff is a very strong seat for the NT Greens, so there is a great chance of electing Billee McGinley in 2020. Billee is an accomplished scientist, devoted parent and respected community advocate with decades of experience working for the benefit of all Territorians and our future generations. Because the NT Greens never accept any corporate donations, you can be certain Billee will always fight for what is right. Billee is informed by modern scientific evidence and real community justice principles. By voting Green, you will help elect someone who is unafraid to speak up in parliament for what is right and fair for all of us in the NT; long-term economic security, protection for our unique environment, real jobs and justice. Billee will champion solar energy and hold the government to account over the inevitable economic and environmental disaster that fracking will cause. Billee McGinley is dedicated to ensuring all Territorians have equal opportunity to economic security and can thrive in a healthy environment.

Melita McKinnon Territory Alliance Candidate for Nightcliff. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Melita McKinnon, Territory Alliance

I am ready to work hard to bring positive changes to the Nightcliff electorate. I love living in this beautiful part of Darwin but am disappointed by the lack of forward planning for our area with increasingly congested roads, the obvious homelessness and anti-social behaviour and crime and safety issues. I want to work with business and community to hear what they experience and know to improve people’s lives. It’s time to start moving forward, it’s time for us to grow, it’s time for change.

Steve Doherty

Steven Doherty, CLP

I am proud to have called Darwin home for the last 32 years and honoured to have been selected to represent the Country Liberal Party at 2020 election in the seat of Nightcliff.

I have a very diverse background, moving from being a semi-professional basketballer to my current role as a consultant at the Kulaluk Indigenous Community in Coconut Grove, where I also live.

All my experience adds to community diversity and capability, and I proud to welcome new Territorians in the same way I was when settling here. Darwin and the Northern Territory has always relied on help from southerners and will continue seeking to attract people from all over Australia and the world to come and live here and I for one will be encouraging them to move here as I have.