NT Election 2024: Res McCalman, Billie Barton named as Greens candidates for Casuarina, Johnston

The Greens have their sights set on the left leaning seats of Darwin’s northern suburbs, putting forward candidates for Casuarina and Johnston.

The NT Greens have announced two more candidates to run in Casuarina and Johnston, narrowing in on the Labor stronghold of Darwin’s northern suburbs.

Midwife and researcher Res McCalman has been selected for Casuarina, and artist and designer Billie Barton for Johnston.

Res McCalman has been selected by the NT Greens to contest the seat of Casuarina at the 2024 Northern Territory general election. Picture: Supplied/NT Greens.

Ms McCalman is a Ballardong Noongar woman with European descent and the third midwife in her Ballardong lineage.

Having undertaken a PhD in First Nations women’s health, she now works at Charles Darwin University, collaborating with remote communities on a Yolŋu-led project providing education, employment and care.

Ms McCalman said she was inspired to enter politics after seeing major parties “listen to developers over locals”.

“I was so upset by what happened at Binybara Lee Point, and it was such a stark example of

the community being ignored. The Territory government is failing us and failing nature,” she said.

“As a healthcare professional, I’m worried about the health and community impacts of fracking. The NT Labor Government is full steam ahead supporting fracking, but there’s clear evidence that it’s a health risk for people living near the gas processing plants, as well as for people living near the drill sites.

“The Greens are the only party shining a light on fracking, making renting better and providing long-term solutions for community safety.”

Billie Barton has been selected by the NT Greens to contest the seat of Johnston at the 2024 Northern Territory general election. Picture: Supplied/Andy Rowan.

Ms Barton runs her own arts small business, as well as working for festivals and in television production.

Before moving to Darwin, she worked as an engineer in product design, and as a university technician.

Billie Barton runs a small business crocheting bags. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

She said she was focused on boosting renter’s rights and better supporting community sports.

“Like most Territorians, I rent my home and I know that NT rental laws need to be so much

better. We’ve got the weakest rental laws in the country right now,” Ms Barton said.

“We need a rent freeze followed by rent caps, so that people aren’t continually pushed to

breaking point to keep a roof over their heads. We need an independent authority looking

after rental bonds, so that there’s always a fair process for renters to go through at the end

of a lease.

“I was attracted to move to Darwin by our incredible and inclusive footy culture, and I’ve played with my local team since I arrived.

“Equality and inclusion on the field really matters to me, sport has an incredible ability to

bring us all together. I want to do my bit to make sure our climate stays liveable so we can all keep playing.”

Cabinet minister Joel Bowden won Johnston with a comfortable 16.5 per cent margin at the last election, while former frontbencher Lauren Moss has held Casuarina since 2014, winning with a 15.9 per cent margin in 2020.

Originally published as NT Election 2024: Res McCalman, Billie Barton named as Greens candidates for Casuarina, Johnston