Nathan Finn Solomon rumour adds spice to CLP preselection weekend

A surprise name has been rumoured to contest federal parliament as the Territory looks ahead to the federal election.

An intervention by Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has added unexpected spice to the weekend’s federal Country Liberal Party pre-selection.

Mr Dutton is understood to have approached NT Police Association chief executive Nathan Finn to contest the next federal election in a bid to parachute the former cop into the Solomon electorate.

CLP President Shane Stone and a spokesman for Mr Finn both denied he would contest Solomon, but rumours persist he could still be a surprise eleventh-hour nomination when the party’s delegates meet in Palmerston this weekend.

With the wind in the party’s sails after the success of its Territory election campaign, the CLP wants to translate that into electorate wins in Solomon and Lingiari, the NT’s two federal lower house seats.

NT Police Association President Nathan Finn meeting with Chief Minister-Elect Lia Finocchiaro last month.

Since Solomon was established before the 2001 federal election, both the CLP and Labor have held the seat for four parliamentary terms, with Luke Gosling the local member since 2016. Also established in 2001, Lingiari has never been held by the CLP.

The CLP central council and annual conference kick-off on Saturday morning at Palmerston’s Rydges hotel, with the party’s coffers filled and spirits raised.

Party sources acknowledge a downside from the election was the available pool of potential candidates for the federal election was reduced as a result of their success in NT electorates.

“In our wildest dreams I don’t think anybody really expected the virtual clean-sweep by the CLP in Darwin’s northern suburbs,” a party insider told this masthead.

“Winning all those seats means that the available pool of potentially talented candidates has been reduced.

“If Brian O’Gallagher hadn’t won Karama or Lori Zio had lost in Fannie Bay, then they would have been ideally placed to contest the next federal election but they’re now headed for four years on the government benches in the Territory and the party will have to find more candidates.”

Luke Gosling on the hustings on Thursday morning.

Mr Dutton, who actively supported CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro during the Territory campaign including a two-day visit last month, is understood to have approached Mr Finn to seek pre-selection for the CLP.

The pair’s association goes back to when they served together at police college and law-and-order and cost of living will be key issues at the next Territory election due by May next year.

But Mr Stone was emphatic Mr Finn would not contest.

“Nathan Finn hasn’t nominated, Peter Dutton hasn’t spoken to me about Nathan Finn nominating and the only person I’m hearing this Nathan Finn rumour is from is you,” he said.

He said approximately six candidates had nominated for Solomon and two for Lingiari.

Sitting Solomon MP Luke Gosling was and supporters had roadside stall on the corner of Trower Road and Lakeside Drive in Alawa on Thursday morning. A federal election is expected before May.

Mr Dutton’s office was contacted.

Originally published as Nathan Finn Solomon rumour adds spice to CLP preselection weekend