A storm is brewing in the Northern Territory as the incoming administrator faces a firestorm of criticism over deeply offensive social media posts! The planned swearing-in ceremony for David Connolly, a controversial pastoralist, is now overshadowed by accusations of racism and widespread calls for his removal.
As the King's official representative in the Territory, the administrator holds a significant role, akin to a state governor. However, before he can even take his oath on Friday, Aboriginal leaders have declared they will not welcome him into remote communities, labeling him as "toxic." This strong stance comes after past social media comments made by Connolly, which have been explicitly described as "racist" within the Northern Territory parliament.
But here's where it gets controversial... In one particularly inflammatory post, revealed by the NT Independent, Connolly questioned the benefits of Indigenous bushfires, stating, "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." This statement, among others, has ignited a fierce backlash.
Further damaging revelations by Guardian Australia highlighted comments Connolly made while leading the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, where he pointed to First Nations people as being "the main group responsible" for crime in the region. These remarks have understandably caused significant hurt and anger within the community.
In a last-minute attempt to quell the outrage, Connolly issued an apology on Wednesday night, stating, "I deeply regret the past social media posts I made; I never intended to cause offence." He expressed being "genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community" and insisted these posts "are no reflection of my personal core values." He pledged to demonstrate "genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians."
And this is the part most people miss... While Governor-General Sam Mostyn acknowledged speaking with Connolly and expressed pleasure at his apology, she maintained a professional distance. "I make no comment about the choice of him as administrator, it wouldn’t be right for me to do that," she stated on ABC Radio Darwin. However, she reassured that her role as Governor-General requires her to attend the ceremony, emphasizing her personal commitment to respecting First Nations people and women's organizations, which she believes is "self-evident."
The Northern Territory government, which put Connolly forward for the role, has stood firm in its decision. Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who admitted he wouldn't have made the same choice, supports the Territory's right to select their own administrator. However, the Labor opposition and independent members of the NT legislative assembly have announced a boycott of the swearing-in ceremony, a move the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has dismissed, stating they weren't invited anyway.
The Northern Land Council chair, Matthew Ryan, has been unequivocal: "As far as I’m concerned, the damage is already done, we need to stop this appointment." He added, "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."
What do you think? Is Connolly's apology enough to mend the deep divisions caused by his past statements? Or is the damage irreparable, and should his appointment be rescinded? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your perspective on this complex issue!
