Administrator defends posts as ‘pastoral world’ talk
A new regional manager has argued controversial social media posts come from an idyllic world and contain “some clumsy, blokey talk”.
David Connolly was sworn in as Northern Territory executive, the equivalent of a state governor, at Parliament House in Darwin on Friday, as around 100 people protested outside.
Protesters clashed with police as an Aboriginal Elder was arrested in chaotic scenes.
Mr Connolly has been under fire for weeks after his social media posts on X have since been deleted, and there were calls for him to be sacked as well.
The posts included attacks on what he called Indigenous privilege, open mockery of Welcome to Country ceremonies and a repost describing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “scum”.
They were also found to belittle women, share transphobic claims, and make jokes about domestic violence.
Mr Connolly said on Monday that the posts were “in response to what is happening in the idyllic world”.
“I was a naive cattleman talking about green grass, blue skies, fat cattle, and it turned into a world of agricultural policy,” he said.
Mix told 104.9 Darwin that he is focused on representing all Territors and hopes to be judged on his actions on the job, not his past.
Mr Connolly said his door was open to rivals to discuss how, as manager, he could tone down “talks like the bloke who is a bit incompetent”.
The opposition tried to debate Mr Connolly’s appointment in the NT parliament in February but was shut down by Speaker Robyn Lambley, who cited a standing order that members not disrespect the executive.
He also banned a protest planned to take place outside the NT parliament on Friday, but the rally went ahead with Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy and NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo in attendance.
Sen. McCarthy said Monday he was concerned about the dismissal of discussion of the administrator’s appointment and role.
“I think it’s a real concern for democracy,” Mix told 104.9 Darwin.
Senator McCarthy said that the people of the Region elected their representatives to the parliament so that they could have healthy discussions.
Mr Albanese called on the NT government to defend Mr Connolly’s appointment during a visit to Darwin in February, saying “it was not a decision I would make”.
NT Premier Lia Finocchiaro has stood behind her government’s selection of former NT Cattlemen’s Association president Mr Connolly.
The new executive apologized for the posts two days before he was sworn in, saying they “do not reflect my personal core values.”
