DOUBLE DISSOLUTION THREAT CAUSES DOUBLE TROUBLE IN TERRITORY

Whether or not it happens, and latest thinking it will not, but then again , talk of a possible double dissolution in federal politics has generated a flurry of activity and increased pressure in Territory political circles. Interestingly, the Country Liberals publicly called for preselection for the two House of Reps seats, Solomon and Lingiari, the Senate and even for expressions of interest for NT Legislative Assembly seats which would not be part of a double shake up . There appears not to have been any local media follow up on this issue , but somebody will surely pop a question or two in the fullness of Territory time. One wonders what Darwin would be like if it had a wham bam , hot to trot, competitive media pack.

So far there has not been a public call for intentions of interest for any ALP seats, local or federal, probably because of the fragility of the party’s hold in the NT . Still, with the NT government’s very existence depending on a day to day relationship with Gerry Wood , it must have contingency plans . The failure to publicly call for expressions of interest in Territory seats gives rise to conjecture that the party is considering running rejected MLAs from the past , which would be suicidal . But then the choices are not great, some possible quality candidates may have been scared off because the government is likely to take a belting at the next poll and could even lose office .

On the NT Federal scene , the Coalition believes it could capture the Darwin based Federal seat of Solomon if Damian Hale runs again for the ALP. His re-endorsement, however, is not assured because of known dissatisfaction with his performance and other matters . Chaser even made him the butt of a skit which, conversely, could be to his advantage. Hale has openly stated in various places that some people are manoeuvring to block his re-endorsement . Hale has been telling numerous people it would not be the end of the world for him if he misses out being re-endorsed. In addition, he is going about confidently trumpeting an early election before the next Federal budget which means he thinks there is going to be a double bunger.


The party machine will have to bite the bullet over Hale, and very soon. If it wants to put up a fresh face, that person had better be one of substance and must be given a reasonable amount of time to make an impact on the electorate.

In the seat of Lingiari , held by ALP’s Warren Snowdon, belatedly made Federal Minister for Aboriginal Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery , an appointment thought to be a desperate attempt to hose down indigenous issues which have are like a keg of smouldering TNT . This has patently failed as more and more organizations draw attention to the extensive and inadequate shortcomings in the NT. In truth, the health situation in the Territory is many more times worse than the SIHIP fiasco.

Normally, Snowdon would be regarded as a safe bet but in a highly charged double dissolution election the outcome could be a shock. Snowdon looked tired and uneasy during a recent appearance on ABC Stateline , perhaps because he is going to have his mo shaved off . A number of observers have said they expected him to pull the pin in the near future after a long innings.

The now independent Member for Macdonnell, Alison Anderson, has been critical of Snowdon . While travelling about her electorate she has told constituents that Snowdon talks a lot , but does not achieve much . This same criticism was voiced this very week by an exasperated medical member of the intervention team who strongly urged Snowdon to cut the cackle and get some action going on the grim Aboriginal health situation.


The CLP has its own problems . While people say the present NT government is not the best , the Opposition does not look much better .“What’s the alternative? ”being a common lament. Perhaps more independents ? In pocket hanky sized electorates , an independent , as shown by Gerry Wood, can attract voter support .

Little Darwin cannot believe that any political party would advocate an open speed policy for Territory roads as does the Country Liberal Party . Are they trying to win the hoon, petrol head, glue sniffer and maniac vote? Surely not . Loud –mouthed individuals who aggressively advocate open slather on the highway , to my way of thinking, are like that drongo at Coolalinga , holding a beer in one hand and a fag in the other, who stood gawking at the fatal accident in which a cattle truck ran over the top of a car, killing its driver. Told to move back because the cigarette could start a fire , the yob called the officer a mug , because the truck ran on diesel. But flattened underneath was a petrol driven vehicle with leaking fuel.

Police, emergency services , hospitals and the bulk of the public at large expect better. The Minister for Transport, Gerry McCarthy , rightly had a go at the Opposition saying he could not believe that any party interested in road safety would have three of its members display no speed limit stickers on their laptops in parliament. A certain amount of uproar resulted . From time to time, there is talk that Opposition Leader Terry Mills is likely to be replaced by MLA for Fong Lim , Dave Tollner . Any political journo who falls for this furphy should be regularly breath-tested and switched to church rounds and coverage of the new Olympic Games sport, tiddleywinks.


Considering the fact that Terry Mills is a solid performer , not given to bluster or displaying an overweening ego, and did so well at the last election, his position should be guaranteed as leader. Some people complain he does not have the “killer instinct” to be a leader, really a meaningless fault, much used by couch potatoes who watch too many B-grade movies while stuffing themselves with rotgut popcorn. Jodeen Carney and Kezia Purick are head and shoulders over Tollner. For Tollner to get the leadership would mean the party is in a parlous and desperate state.

An editorial in the NT News must have caused groans, guffaws and head shaking in many places when it stated on November 17 that Tollner is the best performer on the Opposition side.