Community independent Phil Scott says he sees chance of winning upcoming election, reveals some policies

Community independent Phil Scott says he has a “dead set chance” at winning the seat of Solomon in the upcoming federal election, doubling down on promises to bring much-needed change to the Top End. Read the details.

Community independent Phil Scott says he has a “dead set chance” at winning the seat of Solomon in the upcoming federal election. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Community independent Phil Scott says he has a “dead set chance” at winning the seat of Solomon in the upcoming federal election, doubling down on his promises to bring much-needed change to the Top End.

In a press conference on Monday, Mr Scott, flanked by at least 10 volunteers and supporters, aired his grievances of the nation’s major parties and offered a glimpse into his plans if he were to win the seat of Solomon.

While not providing any specific details about his economic policy, Mr Scott said taking on big business and lowering the cost of groceries were two major aspects of his campaign.

“Small businesses and working people shouldn’t be the only ones bearing Australia’s tax burden … corporate Australia need to be paying their fair share when it comes to tax,” he said.

Mr Scott said he did not believe corporate Australia had paid their fair share in recent years. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Why is it that small businesses are on a 28 per cent tax rate and corporate Australia … are able to make record profits … yet only required to pay one per cent tax?”

Mr Scott, who shared he was sick of paying for expensive red-eye flights out of Darwin, suggested there was a correlation between the Top End’s expensive airfares and the donations made to political parties.

“I don’t take money from the major airlines like the major parties do and I’m … saying there is a direct connection here between the money our major parties take from … the airlines and the outcomes we get,” he said.

“How about we open up some of these flight routes to any airline that can provide a service.”

Mr Scott stood in front of loyal supporters and volunteers as he spoke to media. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Being an independent, Mr Scott said, allowed him to stay true to his electorate rather than a party.

“We are giving the community an opportunity here to come together and actually have some decision making power to participate in our democracy,” he said.

“Be a part of the decision making with us … inform us what’s important to you, and let’s make these decisions together.

“We want to provide a mechanism for that to happen, and that is democracy done properly.”

Mr Scott’s campaign has taken off in recent weeks. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Scott said he believed he had a real chance of winning the seat of Solomon, which has historically never been won by an independent.

“There’s no such thing as the impossible and we know we’re a dead set chance to win,” he said.

“We now understand after talking to punters at markets and door knocking homes, that this is on.”

Mr Scott is running against incumbent Labor MP Luke Gosling and the CLP’s Lisa Bayliss in the federal seat of Solomon.

Originally published as Community independent Phil Scott says he sees chance of winning upcoming election, reveals some policies