Politicians, advocates and community groups have pleaded with the Prime Minister to "urgently rescind" the appointment of the controversial incoming Northern Territory administrator, as the Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro doubles down, arguing people have turned it into a "race issue".
Former Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association president David Connolly is due to be sworn in as the Territory's 24th Administrator on Friday, after being nominated in December by Ms Finocchiaro. The Administrator role, equivalent to a state governor, is intended to be politically neutral and carries a salary of $377,000.
However, the appointment has been surrounded by controversy after his past social media activity — including criticism of Welcome to Country ceremonies and mockery of Indigenous languages, as well as disparaging remarks about women and the Prime Minister, and jokes about domestic violence — came to light.
On Monday, an open letter was sent to Anthony Albanese calling on him to "immediately rescind" Mr Connolly's appointment to restore public confidence. The signatories encouraged the PM to "urgently review the advice and process that led to this appointment" and make public the "standards applied in assessing suitability for this constitutional role".
The letter was signed by Tim, Janet and Richard Muirhead, children of former NT administrator James Muirhead — who last year urged federal intervention in the NT over the CLP Government's "regressive actions" — along with the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, representatives of the Northern Land Council, the opposition, and the Country Women's Association.
Alongside the letter, Independent MLA Yingiya Guyula said he is "calling for national leadership". In comments reported by NT News, he said: "When leaders are appointed who have publicly expressed offensive views, it emboldens people to act with prejudice and division.
"This appointment symbolises the increasingly hostile environment towards Aboriginal people in the NT and it makes us feel exhausted and powerless in our fight to change the course of growing division in the Northern Territory."
Last month, the Prime Minister ruled out intervening to block the appointment, saying responsibility lies with the Territory government.
"The federal cabinet is just a process of agreeing to the recommendation of the Northern Territory Government; there is no precedent whatsoever for the Commonwealth intervening in such a way," he said.
However, the letter argues his "central" role in Australia's "constitutional framework" should prompt him to reconsider. It notes the Administrator is appointed on the advice of the federal government to the Governor-General.
"Where serious and sustained concerns exist about the suitability of a person to hold this office, responsibility does not rest elsewhere," the letter reads. "It rests with those who provide and maintain the advice on which the appointment stands."
The signatories say the Administrator, as the Crown's representative, "must embody impartiality, restraint, dignity and respect for all Territorians".
"In circumstances where public confidence in the office has been demonstrably undermined, it is incumbent upon you to act to protect the integrity of the institution and the credibility of the Crown's representation in the Northern Territory."
Speaking to ABC Radio in January, Northern Land Council chair Matthew Ryan said he was "disgusted and very disappointed" by the appointment.
"We need someone that doesn't have any baggage," Mr Ryan said. "We need someone that will represent the Northern Territory — not just one-sided, but all Territory Indigenous [people] also."
On Monday, Ms Finocchiaro defended her decision. Despite the controversy over Mr Connolly's comments about Aboriginal people, she said it was the crossbench and opposition who were "making it a race issue".
"He is the Administrator now and people should have some respect," she told Mix 104.9. "People can make mistakes, people can have personal views."
Mr Connolly has not apologised for the posts, saying he did not intend to cause harm and would be a "fierce advocate for all Territorians".
"My former social media posts are exactly that and were done at a time when having the honour and privilege of being the Administrator was not even in my wildest dreams," he said in a statement last month.
"I love this place and look forward to getting out and working for everyone right across the Territory."
Mr Guyula told the ABC this week Mr Connolly is someone who "has proven that he does not support Aboriginal people".
"He has clearly shown through his past comments that he will not be an administrator that will stand for everyone."
A public protest is planned for Friday morning to coincide with the swearing-in ceremony. However, Speaker Robyn Lambley said on Tuesday she declined a request for it to proceed, arguing that while protests are a vital part of democracy, "on this occasion all measures must be employed to ensure the security of the dignitaries involved and the staging of this official ceremony".
In response, Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey told ABC Radio it is "quite extraordinary" that the right to protest had been denied.
"It is concerning and people should be able to speak up about their concerns, particularly those whose interests are often ignored by our formal political system," she said.
