NT Administrator Faces Backlash Over Racist Social Media Posts
The incoming Northern Territory administrator, David Connolly, has issued a last-minute public apology for past social media posts that have been widely condemned as racist. This controversy has sparked fierce opposition to his swearing-in ceremony, with numerous Aboriginal leaders and politicians planning to boycott the event.
Controversial Appointment Sparks Outrage
As Connolly prepares to take his oath as King Charles's official representative in the Northern Territory, more than twenty local politicians and community leaders have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to urgently rescind the nomination. Aboriginal leaders have declared Connolly unwelcome in remote communities, describing him as toxic and vowing to refuse to host the administrator.
The Northern Territory parliament has taken the extraordinary step of blocking protesters from gathering outside the building during Friday's ceremony, where Connolly will be sworn in by Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
Revealed Social Media Comments
Connolly's apology addresses since-deleted social media posts that were described in NT parliament as racist. In one particularly inflammatory post published in the NT Independent, Connolly stated: "We fight Indigenous lit bushfire indiscriminately and illegally lit in our paddocks every year. There is no science, it is arson. If a white man did it he would be severely fined. After experiencing this, you cannot convince me they are doing good for the country."
Further investigation by Guardian Australia revealed additional concerning comments made by Connolly during his tenure as chair of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association, including assertions that First Nations people were "the main group responsible" for crime in the Top End region.
Connolly's Apology and Community Response
In a statement released by the administrator's office on Wednesday night, Connolly expressed regret: "I deeply regret the past social media posts I made; I never intended to cause offence. I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community. These posts are no reflection of my personal core values."
Connolly further committed to "upholding the standards the community rightly expects" and promised that his "actions moving forward will demonstrate genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians."
Political Reactions and Official Responses
Governor-General Sam Mostyn addressed the controversy during an interview with ABC Radio Darwin, stating she had spoken with Connolly and was "pleased to see" his apology. Mostyn emphasized her constitutional role, saying: "I make no comment about the choice of him as administrator, it wouldn't be right for me to do that, but I must come, and I must give effect to it in the parliament tomorrow."
The NT government, which recommended Connolly to the federal government, has remained steadfast in its support of the appointment. Prime Minister Albanese has stated that while he would not have personally chosen Connolly, he supports the right of Territorians to select their own administrator.
Widespread Boycott and Community Concerns
The Labor opposition and independent members of the NT legislative assembly have confirmed they will boycott Friday's ceremony. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro responded dismissively, noting they weren't invited anyway.
Aboriginal leaders continue to express deep concerns about the appointment. Matthew Ryan, chair of the Northern Land Council, stated unequivocally: "As far as I'm concerned, the damage is already done, we need to stop this appointment. We're not going to tolerate and work with this individual. To put it bluntly, I don't want to see him out there in remote communities... why should we work with the administrator? As far as I'm concerned, he's toxic."
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between government appointments and community expectations, particularly regarding representation and respect for First Nations peoples in Australia's political landscape.
