Because of their cultural background and obligations , it is inevitable that indigenous members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, from time to time, have to go against decisions made by their own political party .
Not so very long ago, Alison Anderson and Malarndirri McCarthy crossed the floor opposing the McArthur River mine legislation, in the process receiving flak from ALP members , the usual iron- fisted, single –minded mining juggernaut and derision from assorted hacks.
And just recently Marion Scrymgour felt so strongly about an issue it led to her quitting the ALP. For her stance, she was made to appear emotionally unbalanced -even reportedly crying , which she did not, at that leaky caucus meeting. Even if she had wept , so what ? Prime Minister Bob Hawke managed to shed a tear or two in public and nobody inferred he was erratic, bonkers , unstable. Malcolm Fraser appeared to weep in public and US Deputy Sheriff John Howard came close to blubbering after his defeat. In fairness, it must be said that the only members of the Legislative Assembly who seem to show some real guts and stand for principles, against enormous pressure, are its indigenous members .
Perhaps the time has come when the indigenous members should consider forming a power bloc of their own to give them collective clout and protection from organised , unreasonable attacks . In a situation very similar to that which pertains in the Territory, New Zealand’s Maori Party was formed on July 7, 2004 . Its co-leader , Tariana Turia , launched the party after resigning from the Labour Party where she had been a Cabinet minister in the fifth Labour- led government. She had been told that if she voted in favor of Maori ownership of the foreshore and seabed , it would be “ incompatible” with holding ministerial rank. She resigned, and won back her seat at a by –election two months later. A high profile academic, Pita Sharples, was another co-leader of the Maori Party . After the 2008 election , the Maori Party , with four seats, supported the National –led government , Turia and Sharples becoming ministers .
Properly united and determined as the Maori Party , with strong policies, such a group , within the party , could be more influential in NT politics , especially as the next election is likely to see a few more independents stand , so many voters fed up with lightweights on both sides of the two main parties.
