Controversial Pastoralist David Connolly Appointed as Northern Territory Administrator
The Northern Territory has found itself at the centre of a political firestorm following the appointment of outspoken pastoralist David Connolly as its next administrator. The role, equivalent to a state governor in representing the crown, has traditionally been nonpartisan, but Connolly's history of provocative statements has ignited fierce debate across the territory.
'None of That Worries Me': Connolly's Unapologetic Stance
In his own words, David Connolly is not one to lose sleep over causing offence. Speaking at the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association conference in 2023, he recounted the numerous labels that have been attached to him over the years.
"I've been called 'bigoted', 'racist', 'homophobic', 'transphobic', 'elitist', 'prejudiced', '[a] destroyer of the environment', '[a] torturer of animals', 'discriminatory', 'biased', 'intolerant', 'chauvinistic', 'small-minded', 'old', 'grumpy' and 'useless'," Connolly told the assembled crowd. "Some of those last ones may have just been from [my wife] Sue at home. At any rate, none of that worries me."
Now, just eight days from moving into NT Government House - Darwin's most prestigious residence and the oldest European building in the territory - Connolly finds himself defending past comments that have resurfaced to haunt his new appointment.
Social Media Posts and Political Insults Surface
Guardian Australia has revealed a series of social media posts and speeches that have drawn particular criticism. In one post published in the NT News, Connolly made a joke about the Greens with a reference to domestic violence, writing: "I was out fighting fire again last night. According to the Greens I was supposed to go home and committ [sic] domestic violence. Lucky I was too rooted."
Another post, published in the NT Independent, addressed Indigenous fire management practices: "We fight Indigenous lit bushfire indiscriminately and illegally lit in our paddocks every year. 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."
Perhaps most damaging to his new role's requirement for political neutrality were comments about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a 2024 speech, where Connolly levelled a series of insults at the nation's leader. In the same address, referring to crime statistics, he stated that "the main group of people perpetrating these criminal actions have been in Australia for 60,000 years."
Indigenous Leaders and Politicians Demand Action
The response from Indigenous leaders and Labor politicians has been swift and condemnatory. Labor's three federal MPs in the territory - including Indigenous Australians minister Malarndirri McCarthy, Marion Scrymgour and Luke Gosling - released a joint statement describing Connolly's social media posts as "reprehensible and offensive" and demanding an apology.
While stopping short of calling for the appointment to be rescinded, their statement reflects the delicate political balance in the Top End, where any suggestion of Canberra interference plays poorly locally. The official position remains that the federal government supports the territory's right to choose its own administrator.
More forceful opposition has come from Indigenous organisations. Matthew Ryan, chair of the Northern Land Council, and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT have called for Connolly to be blocked from taking the role entirely. "I can tell you now I'm not going to talk to him if he gets appointed," Ryan told the ABC, highlighting the depth of feeling within Indigenous communities.
Symbolic Conflict at the Heart of Land Rights
According to Robyn Smith, a lecturer in colonial history at Charles Darwin University, Connolly's appointment carries profound symbolic weight for First Nations people in the NT. With Indigenous rights covering about 78% of the land mass of northern Australia and pastoral use covering about 60% of the same area, the tension between these interests has long defined the land rights movement.
"The conflict between the interests of pastoralists and First Nations people has long been at the heart of the land rights movement," Smith explains. "The selection of an outspoken pastoralist – someone who has opposed the voice referendum and the treaty process – sends a clear signal."
She adds: "The [Country Liberal party] has always been about land and money. That's what the administrator-designate represents, the pastoral interest on that land."
Connolly has previously spoken critically about Aboriginal land rights, particularly regarding the historic 1975 hand back of part of Wave Hill station to the Gurindji people - where Gough Whitlam famously poured sand into Vincent Lingiari's hand. In a 2022 speech, Connolly suggested this action had created unintended consequences that ultimately forced Aboriginal people off the land and into communities.
"He couldn't foresee the trouble he was going to cause to the cattlemen and the land owners and the people of Australia," Connolly said of Whitlam. "It's easy to give away things you don't own to people you don't know so you can keep another group of people happy."
Precedent of Political Appointments
While past administrators have faced accusations of being political appointees, Smith believes Connolly's appointment represents a significant escalation. The incumbent, Hugh Heggie, previously submitted pro-Labor political views to the ABC before the 2024 federal election, though a spokesperson insisted the administrator "does not publicly express political preferences or engage in political activities."
One of Heggie's predecessors, John Hardy, who ran an aviation business, had made donations to the CLP before his appointment. However, Smith argues that choosing someone as openly controversial as Connolly represents the current government "pushing the envelope" even further.
She notes that while the administrator's job is largely ceremonial and nonpartisan, they can engage in what she terms "soft diplomacy" through hosting events or industry advocacy - something Connolly has considerable experience with as a pastoral advocate.
Connolly's Defence and Changing Tone
Known for his direct speaking style, Connolly has previously expressed contempt for what he sees as hypocrisy. He called Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins a hypocrite for voicing climate concerns while "jet-setting around the world in gas-guzzling aeroplanes" in a 2022 speech, declaring that "hypocrisy knows no limits."
In 2024, he defended his approach: "Direct talking and honest discourse are no longer a matter of pride and principle, but of scorn and subjugation. I am yet to be accused of not speaking my mind directly, of the truth as I see it."
However, facing the reality of his new role, Connolly struck a notably different tone on Monday. In a statement released to local media outlets, he said it had not been his intention to cause offence and acknowledged the responsibilities of his position.
"I fully understand and appreciate the expectations of the community and my role as administrator," Connolly stated. "I have always been a fierce advocate for the bush and will now 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."
As the territory prepares for this controversial appointment to take effect, the question remains whether Connolly can transition from outspoken pastoral advocate to neutral representative of the crown - and whether the community will accept his transformation.
