for the love OF the territory

By Jonathan Parry, Convenor, NT Greens

It is a great privilege to provide an initial report on the NT Greens successes at the recent 2024 Northern Territory General Election on 24 August 2024.

It will be no surprise to members and supporters across the country that we ran a campaign to win our first ever seat in the Northern Territory Parliament and this past week has provided time to reflect on our gains.

Our incredible organising efforts saw us quadruple our membership this past year, We held our first ever contested preselection ballots, run the equal-most number of candidates we have ever had in an NT election.

We achieved an overall swing of 3.7%, and, thrillingly, finish in two-party preferred position in 3 seats: our target seats, Suki Dorras-Walker in Fannie Bay (Garramilla/Darwin) and Asta Hill in Braitling (Mparntwe/Alice Springs) and our “to grow” seat Nightcliff (Darwin) with Kat McNamara. 

The campaign was characterised by a disturbing yet all-too-familiar crime and punishment race to the bottom from the old parties, yet our messages of social justice, integrity in politics, as well as our environmental credentials shone through.

The thousands of meaningful conversations our members and candidates had on (more than 10,000) doorknocks, market stalls, and in workplaces resulted in thousands of Territorians putting the Greens as their first preference for the first time – no small feat when each seat only has 6000 electors!

That we came so close is testament to the remarkable and incomparable labour of our Party Managers Sib Hare Breidahl and Maud Mussared. Their combined energy and ability to adapt to and master all aspects of managing and engaging our movement has been nothing short of extraordinary.

We are sad to see them wrap up their time with us to resume their burgeoning medical careers but can’t wait to see all they achieve. Enjoy your well-deserved break Sib and Maud – you have more than earned it.

Thank you also to our amazing volunteers, candidates, and campaign staff. Your contributions make a world of difference and you should all be incredibly proud of the NT Greens’ feats at this election – the credit is all yours.

Our results would also not have been possible without the support of the Australian Greens and the generous donors across the country. Your confidence and trust in our modest operations empowers and emboldens us.

There was no shortage of Territorians telling us how appalled and disgusted they are with Australia’s approach to international affairs and increasing numbers are recognising the connection between home and abroad. All our successes and losses are shared.

Although our aim was to breakthrough in at least one seat, the spread of the Greens message means that by the time of the next election in 2028, we will be positioned to not only breakthrough but to occupy a balance of power.

Four years is only a moment in the grander scale and the arc is bending towards a reckoning for those who use and abuse their power and capital against the interests of our people and planet.

The NT has local government elections and the federal election next year – if you’ve ever wanted to visit, you’ll never have a more perfect opportunity to work with our now-seasoned campaign team and contribute to our unstoppable momentum.

The NT Greens will have more to share in the coming months so stay tuned. The Northern Territory is a battleground for our future and the fight is not over.

For the love of the Territory.