CLP candidate Kris Civitarese vows to ‘immediately’ relocate to seat of Daly if elected in by-election

New Country Liberal Party hopeful Kris Civitarese has vowed to ‘immediately’ relocate to the seat of Daly should the candidate be elected at the by-election on September 11.

NEW Country Liberal Party hopeful Kris Civitarese has vowed to “immediately” relocate to the seat of Daly should the candidate be elected at the by-election on September 11.

The party preselection ballot on Sunday just happened to coincide with his family’s ongoing search for a new home.

“My wife and I have been looking at property up here for the last six months,” he said.

“She has been applying for jobs up here, so if I am successfully elected, I will just move up here immediately.”

Mr Civitarese had been living in Barkly Regional Council as a CLP member of 15 years while also serving as an alderman since September 2017.

Both the government’s and Opposition’s candidates reside outside of the Daly electorate.

But Mr Civitarese feels he is still the right man to speak on behalf of the Daly electorate.

CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro and candidate for Daly Kris Civitarese. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The family business owner of delivering business support services and project management was voted by CLP rank-and-file members to replace the retiring MLA Ian Sloan.

“I’m proud to be selected by the CLP as their candidate for the Daly,” Mr Civitarese said.

“I’ve spent the majority of my life living in regional and remote areas and understand the people living in these areas.

“I would be a strong voice in a strong team to make sure the voice of Daly people is heard.”

Labor had controversially endorsed Dheran Young to contest Daly against Mr Civitarese despite revelations that the former staffer was also behind claims from the CLP of “unnecessarily provocative” and “inappropriate” behaviour.

Territory Attorney-General Selena Uibo has handed out a formal warning to Mr Young.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro endorsed her candidate only because he had lived “below the Berriamah line” for 15 years.

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“The Labor candidate had only lived in the Territory for eight years and lives in Darwin in stark to contrast to our CLP candidate,” she said.

She said Mr Civitarese was the “best candidate”, but would not elaborate had nominations come forward from locals.

“The preselection process is a matter for the party,” she said. “I’ve heard our president say there was lots of candidates who put their name forward and we’re really proud to have so many people wanting to run for the CLP in this election.

“The party picks the best people for the job and they’ve picked Kris Civitarese.”

The CLP has won the past three elections in Daly, but it only holds the seat – before preferences – by 65 votes and Labor only needs a 0.5 per cent swing to regain the electorate for the first time since 2012.

Originally published as CLP candidate Kris Civitarese vows to ‘immediately’ relocate to seat of Daly if elected in by-election