Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s call for a soft on crime approach to policing indigenous communities. Not surprisingly, she caused national and international headlines by wearing a “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) hat throughout the recent Northern Territory election campaign. The hat that first appeared on her personal Facebook feed quickly became a national sensation as she tried to reach out to disenchanted voters. Price said the hat was worn as part of a Christmas “publicity stunt” with her husband. In fact, she decried the media in the past for focusing on it.
Just this past weekend, the Labor Party knocked on big victories in the election. They managed to hold onto both of the territory’s lower house seats, Solomon and Lingiari. Marion Scrymgour was absolutely instrumental in these victories. She underscored the need for cultivating relationships and having open dialogues in their communities. Price, the Coalition’s only re-elected member from the Northern Territory, said she was deeply alarmed at the integrity of the ballot. She pointedly called out the lack of broadband access in rural areas.
Labor’s Strong Performance
Labor’s candidates celebrated notable advancements in the election, especially Marion Scrymgour, who extended her party’s previously slim margin in Lingiari. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy bluntly told a Senate Estimates hearing last week. She described their win as Labor’s mandate to follow a new direction for all Australians, particularly for First Nations peoples.
Both Scrymgour and McCarthy made their presence felt throughout the campaign, frequently engaging with voters in remote Northern Territory communities. McCarthy focused on bettering food security and increasing job access in those communities. Mr. McGowan, pictured above, stressed Labor’s commitment to addressing local priorities.
After election results, McCarthy celebrates with supporters
“We have been given a mandate tonight — to find and persevere through a better way for all Australians, especially the First Nations people of Australia,” – Malarndirri McCarthy
Controversy Surrounding Remote Voting
As the election played out, remote polling booths became an early flashpoint of the contentious election. Shadow minister for Indigenous affairs senator Nampijinpa Price wasn’t holding back on her disappointment. In it, she asserted that the presence of men at polling stations made women feel intimidated and scared. She added that this environment deters participation and is harmful to free and fair elections.
Price said that AEC had turned a blind eye to serious matters. She argued that they had been warned repeatedly, but didn’t act to resolve the issues. On the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, she called for greater scrutiny of the voting process.
“The AEC has been alerted to this over and over and do very little to deal with that situation,” – Senator Nampijinpa Price
Price again encouraged journalists to do more investigative work in the space. He even proposed that an investigative journalist follow what actually goes on at remote polling booths.
“Send an investigative journalist out and watch what occurs at remote polling booths [by Labor],” – Senator Nampijinpa Price
Scrymgour backed these assertions up by illuminating the difficulties women faced at the polls.
“Women didn’t want to come to the polling booths because they felt frightened and intimidated — men were standing over them,” – Ms. Scrymgour
Coalition’s Position and Future Outlook
In addition to state and territory leaders, federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was in key campaign mode. He spent time in the Northern Territory regularly to build support for the Coalition. He reaffirmed his commitment to continue working in partnership with the Northern Territory’s new Country Liberal Party (CLP) government. He placed importance on having any government he leads work in close concert with local leadership.
He’s the only Coalition representative to be re-elected across the entire South East Queensland region. Her command is tenuous as she plans her agenda to address the issues that arose during the campaign. Her focus on media oversight can act as an indicator to future conversations about safe and secure elections in dispersed, rural areas.
As these political dynamics inevitably change in the Northern Territory, both parties will have to find their own way forward. With Labor’s commitment to enhancing conditions for First Nations people and addressing critical issues raised during the campaign, the next few years may see significant developments in local governance.
