Why this is important

The Finocchiaro Government has appointed David Connolly as NT Administrator. Over the last few weeks, past social media posts of Mr Connolly have resurfaced. They are deeply concerning, denigrating many Territorians, including First Nations people, transgender people and women.

Neither Mr Connolly nor the Finocchiaro Government have apologised for this harmful commentary.

Many Territorians have spoken out against this appointment and are calling on the Federal Government to revoke its support for the nomination of David Connolly as Administrator of the Northern Territory.

Northern Land Council Chair Matthew Ryan stated that the person appointed to the role of Administrator must be “willing to work with Indigenous people right across the Territory…No one should be appointed if racist remarks are made, targeted at the Indigenous people right across the territory, or anyone for that matter, right across Australia.”

We must stand in solidarity with Territorians targeted in Mr Connolly's commentary and make clear to the Finocchiaro Government that we expect all Territorians to be treated with dignity and respect.

Sign this petition calling on the Federal Government to revoke its endorsement of David Connolly as NT Administrator. We're asking for it to be tabled in the Federal Senate in coming weeks:

To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled:

The petition of the undersigned shows:

We oppose the Federal Government’s support for the nomination of David Connolly as Administrator of the Northern Territory. 

Mr Connolly’s past social media posts denigrating many Territorians, including First Nations people, transgender people, and women are deeply concerning.

Mr Connolly’s ignorant and harmful commentary has no place in our community. These views and his refusal to apologise or explain himself demonstrate that he is unfit for office.

We join the calls of Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT and the Northern Land Council Chair Matthew Ryan for the federal government to revoke the appointment of the Northern Territory’s incoming administrator. 

By signing this petition, we echo Mr Ryan’s remarks that the person appointed to the role of the Administrator must be “willing to work with Indigenous people right across the Territory…No one should be appointed if racist remarks are made, targeted at the Indigenous people right across the territory, or anyone for that matter, right across Australia.”

Your petitioners ask that the Senate:

Pass a resolution urging the Government to withdraw its recommendation to the Governor General on the appointment of David Connolly as Administrator of the Northern Territory, or, if Mr Connolly has already been sworn in at the time of this petition’s tabling in the Senate, request that the Governor General remove Mr Connolly from the office of the Northern Territory Administrator.