Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

The Northern Territory candidates vying for your vote in the federal election

Campaigning is well underway ahead of the federal election. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Whether you're in downtown Darwin or the furthest flung corner of the Northern Territory, there's a politician that wants your vote in the federal election on May 21.

The candidates have been confirmed in the race for the Territory's two lower house seats — that's Solomon, which includes Darwin and part of Palmerston, and the sprawling outback seat of Lingiari, which covers everything else.

There are also two spots in the Senate up for grabs.

To help you get a sense of those vying for your support, here are the names and faces of the candidates and a little bit of background on them. They're listed in the order in which they'll appear on your ballot paper when you go to vote.

Solomon

Liberal Democrats — Kylie Bonanni

Kylie Bonanni is one of several former Country Liberal Party (CLP) candidates who defected from the party to run with the Liberal Democrats.

She recently identified crime and the NT government's vaccine mandates as key issues in Solomon. The former Alice Springs deputy mayor ran in the inner-Darwin seat of Fong Lim in 2020, where she received more than a third of the first-preference vote.

Kylie Bonanni is the Liberal Democrats' candidate for Solomon. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

Australian Greens — Aiya Goodrich Carttling

Aiya Goodrich Carttling is a student and healthcare worker who was born and raised in Darwin.

She has run for NT parliament in the northern Darwin seat of Johnston twice in the past. Her website says neither of the major parties are offering real action on climate change, and its lists housing, education and the cost of living as other key issues.

Aiya Goodrich Carttling is running for the Australian Greens. (Supplied)

Australian Labor Party — Luke Gosling

Labor's Luke Gosling is seeking a third term in the seat of Solomon, which he currently holds on a thin margin of 3.1 per cent.

He served in the Australian Defence Force for more than a decade before entering politics. His candidate page lists developing northern Australia as a key priority for the incoming federal government, and he has identified the cost of living as a major issue in Solomon.

Sitting Labor MP Luke Gosling is seeking re-election. (Supplied: Facebook)

Country Liberal Party — Tina MacFarlane

Tina MacFarlane is a former cattle station owner and businesswoman who has lived in the NT for more than three decades.

She contested the bush seat of Lingiari in 2013 and 2016, losing both times to Labor incumbent Warren Snowdon. She says the NT's economy is suffering and Territorians deserve a local representative who can offer solutions.

Tina MacFarlane is contesting Solomon for the Country Liberal Party. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)

One Nation — Emily Lohse

Emily Lohse is the Solomon candidate for conservative minor party One Nation, which has vowed to run candidates in all lower house seats.

Her biography on the party's website says she was raised on cattle properties in southern Queensland before moving to the Northern Territory. It says COVID-19 vaccine mandates and foreign investment in Australian assets are key concerns.

United Australia Party — Tayla Selfe

Tayla Selfe is a political newcomer who is currently studying education at Charles Darwin University.

Her website says she supports sustainable locally owned businesses, preserving Indigenous lands and the fairer distribution of wealth. The United Australia Party (UAP) is the party founded by mining billionaire Clive Palmer.

The United Australia Party candidate's for Solomon is Tayla Selfe. (Supplied: United Australia Party)

Lingiari

Country Liberal Party — Damien Ryan

Damien Ryan was the mayor of Alice Springs for more than 13 years until he relinquished the role last year.

He contested the NT election in 2020 as the CLP's candidate for the Alice Springs seat of Araluen and lost by just 42 votes. His online profile says the key issues he is campaigning on include infrastructure funding for the pastoral, agriculture, mining and tourism industries.

Damien Ryan is the CLP candidate for Lingiari. (Supplied: Facebook)

Australian Greens – Blair McFarland

Blair McFarland founded the Central Australian Youth Link Up Service to help prevent petrol sniffing in the region.

His online profile says the key issues he is campaigning on include climate change, First Nations justice and environmental protection.

Blair McFarland is running for the Greens. (ABC News: Melissa Mackay)

Citizens Party — Thong Sum Lee

According to his online profile, Thong Lee is a retired lawyer-turned-mango farmer and a volunteer active in the rural community south of Darwin.

His party is campaigning to create a government-owned banking system and Mr Lee is opposed to fracking.

United Australia Party – Allan McLeod

Allan McLeod is a boilermaker welder who has worked on major oil and gas projects.

His online profile says he is involved in the Uniting Church and he participates in outreach programs.

Allan McLeod is the the United Australia Party's Lingiari candidate. (Supplied: United Australia Party)

Australian Labor Party — Marion Scrymgour

Marion Scrymgour was the first Indigenous woman elected to the NT parliament in 2001.

She was later elevated to the role of deputy chief minister, which at the time made her the highest-ranking Indigenous woman in Australian political history. Until last year, she was the chief executive of the Northern Land Council. Her online profile says the key issues she is campaigning on include health care, education, jobs and renewable energy in remote areas.

Marion Scrymgour is the Labor candidate for Lingiari. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

Independent – Michael Gravener

Michael Gravener has worked as the chief executive officer of the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation in the Utopia homelands.

In campaign media releases, he has promised to advocate for increased funding for remote roads and social services, more urgent action on climate change and an accelerated treaty process.

Michael Gravener is contesting Lingiari as an independent. (Supplied: Michael Gravener)

Independent — Imelda Adamson Agars

Imelda Adamson Agars says she works in the funeral industry in central Australia. 

Her website describes experiences with disability and mental health issues in her family that have helped shape her politics. She promises voters that, if elected, she will ensure funding commitments made by the major parties are delivered.

She identifies as non-binary and gender neutral but does not have a pronouns preference.

Imelda Adamson Agars is running as an independent candidate for Lingiari.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation – Tim Gallard

Tim Gallard is an aircraft engineer based in Alice Springs.

His online profile says he has been involved in children's and youth ministries and wants people to participate in "meaningful work". It says Mr Gallard is opposed to COVID-19 mandates and he is calling for a royal commission to be held into the government's handling of the pandemic.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation candidate is running Tim Gallard. (Supplied: Pauline Hanson's One Nation)

Liberal Democrats — George Kasperak

George Kasperak is another former CLP member who has joined the Liberal Democrats, having served as secretary of the CLP's Litchfield branch.

In a media release, the party says Mr Kasperak is a former army officer, teacher and safari guide who found the LDP's values aligned with his own.

Senate

Country Liberal Party

Top spot on the ticket — Jacinta Price

Former musician and Alice Springs deputy mayor Jacinta Price is running for the CLP, having won pre-selection over sitting senator Sam McMahon.

Ms Price says one of her key focuses is helping to address the high rates of family violence, especially in remote parts of the NT. She also ran for the seat of Lingiari in 2019 against Labor MP Warren Snowdon, but fell short.

Jacinta Price is the CLP's top Senate candidate. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

Liberal Democrats

Top spot on the ticket — Sam McMahon

After losing pre-selection with the CLP and quitting the party, incumbent senator Sam McMahon sat briefly as an independent in federal parliament before joining the Liberal Democrats.

During her term, she raised her voice on a number of issues, including trying to overturn legislation that blocks the NT from making its own voluntary euthanasia laws. She also worked with Labor to help the NT retain two seats in parliament.

Former CLP senator Sam McMahon now hopes to get up for the Liberal Democrats. (ABC News: Jesse Thompson)

Australian Labor Party

Top spot on the ticket — Malarndirri McCarthy

A former journalist and NT government minister for children and families, Senator McCarthy was elected in 2016.

Her party has promised to overhaul employment programs for remote Aboriginal communities, fund housing on homelands and fast-track money promised for Kakadu National Park. Senator McCarthy joined Senator McMahon in the fight to keep two seats in the lower house of parliament.

Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy is seeking re-election. (ABC News: Mitch Woolnough)

Legalise Cannabis Australia

Top spot on the ticket — Lance Lawrence

Lance Lawrence is a self-described "bushman, horseman, poet, activist and Aboriginal affairs advocate".

Mr Lawrence has spent many years in the remote NT and has run in previous NT and federal elections. His party campaigns on a promise to legalise and regulate cannabis.

Sustainable Australia Party - Stop Overdevelopment/Corruption

Top spot on the ticket — Lamaan Whyte

In the 2022 federal election, the Sustainable Australia Party says its candidates are campaigning to protect the environment, address overdevelopment and stop corruption.

The Great Australian Party

Top spot on the ticket — Steve Arrigo

Steve Arrigo describes himself as a Darwin business owner, motocross enthusiast and family man.

He has been a vocal opponent of NT government-imposed coronavirus vaccine and mask mandates during the past two years of the pandemic. He's running for minor party the Great Australian Party, founded by former One Nation senator Rod Culleton. 

Steve Arrigo is contesting the Senate for the Great Australia Party. (Supplied: Facebook)

Citizens Party

Top spot on the ticket — Trudy Campbell

Ms Campbell is the NT's state secretary for the Australian Citizens Party, and says she is standing for the Senate because she believes "it is vital that we, as Territorians, play our part in developing and rebuilding our physical economy, and in freeing Australia from its colonial shackles by asserting our sovereignty".

Ms Campbell says she was a nurse and midwife for 40 years prior to her retirement.

Trudy Campbell is the Australian Citizen's Party's Senate candidate. (Supplied: Australian Citizen's Party)

Australian Greens

Top spot on the ticket — Jane Anlezark

Greens candidate Jane Anlezark says she's running for the Senate to fight for action on climate change, investment into education and "a realistic vision for prosperity in the NT".

She is calling for a ban on fracking and a faster transition away from fossil fuels. Ms Anlezark has worked as a school teacher in the NT, having been based remotely at schools in Arnhem Land and on the Tiwi Islands. 

Jane Anlezark (right) is standing for the Greens in the Senate. 

United Australia Party

Top spot on the ticket — Raj Rajwin

Raj Rajwin has previously run as a candidate in NT, local government and federal elections, as an independent and as a member of minor parties.

He's now stepping forward for the UAP, which is running on policies like free higher education and abolishing student debt.

Raj Rajwin is the United Australia Party's NT Senate candidate.
Inflation figures force parties to outline their plan to reduce the cost of living.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.