David Connolly, the man appointed to serve as King Charles' representative in the Northern Territory, has been formally reminded of the "restraint required" in his new position. This intervention comes amid a significant public backlash over a series of questionable social media posts he authored, which have now been deleted.
Apology Issued Ahead of Swearing-In Ceremony
Governor-General Sam Mostyn reached out to the incoming administrator as he faced mounting criticism over his controversial appointment. This prompted Mr Connolly to issue a full public apology late on Wednesday, just ahead of his scheduled swearing-in ceremony on Friday. In his statement, he expressed deep regret for the posts, which had recently re-emerged in media reports.
"I never intended to cause offence. I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community," Mr Connolly said. He emphasised that the posts were "no reflection of my personal core values" and described the appointment as the "greatest honour of my life". He pledged that his future actions would demonstrate "genuine care and commitment to serving all Territorians".
Content of the Controversial Posts
The now-deleted posts on the platform X included attacks on what the cattleman termed "Indigenous privilege", an apparent mocking of Welcome to Country ceremonies, and a re-post that described Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an "arsehole". These revelations have sparked widespread condemnation from community groups, advocates, and politicians across the spectrum.
Political Pressure and Calls for Intervention
Dozens of political figures and community representatives have signed a formal letter urgently requesting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to "rescind" the vice-regal appointment. The letter argues that this action is necessary to restore public confidence in the office. There have been sustained calls for Mr Connolly's nomination, which was made in late 2025 by the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party government, to be quashed, put on hold, or subjected to an independent review.
Aboriginal elder and Territory MP Yingiya Guyula co-signed the letter to the Prime Minister and issued a personal plea for Mr Albanese to withdraw his support for Mr Connolly. The Prime Minister had previously been asked to intervene in a last-minute attempt to prevent Mr Connolly from assuming the administrator role, which is the Northern Territory's equivalent of a state governor.
Governor-General's Response and Role Expectations
Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who arrived in Darwin ahead of the Friday morning ceremony at Government House, welcomed the "full apology". She confirmed that she had spoken directly with Mr Connolly this week, explicitly reminding him of the "restraint required" for his upcoming role, which carries an annual salary of $377,000.
"I think he understands, going into this role, that he has to be a very different person in the role than he might have been before, and anyone stepping into vice-regal roles actually learns that," Ms Mostyn told ABC Radio Darwin on Thursday. Her comments underscore the significant behavioural shift expected of individuals occupying such constitutionally significant positions.
Protest Plans and Parliamentary Restrictions
Mr Connolly faced considerable pressure in the lead-up to the swearing-in ceremony, with a protest rally planned to coincide with the event. However, Speaker Robyn Lambley denied permission for the demonstration to be held outside Parliament House, citing "insufficient capacity to accommodate a demonstration" at the same time as the official ceremony.
Despite the controversy and the blocked protest, Mr Connolly has stated he is now focusing his energy on "fulfilling my commission and the duties of the office". The situation highlights the intense scrutiny facing public figures in the digital age, where past online activity can resurface and challenge present appointments.
