NT Administrator appears to back Labor ahead of federal election despite 'non-partisan' role
An entry to the ABC's Your Say election call-out that appears to be from Hugh Heggie said the Australian Labor Party "has a strong and responsible approach to its social policies". (ABC News: Michael Franchi)
The Northern Territory Administrator appears to have expressed support for the Australian Labor Party ahead of Saturday's federal election, despite holding a "non-partisan" and "publicly neutral" role as a Crown representative.
Professor Hugh Heggie PSM — the NT's equivalent to a state governor — appears to have submitted his political views to the ABC's Your Say election call-out.
The entry, with a listed personal email address confirmed to belong to Professor Heggie, said:
"ALP [Australian Labor Party] has a strong and responsible approach to its social policies and activities as well as the environment, energy, remote First Nations peoples, employment, defence and its global responsibilities."
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Professor Heggie did not deny he had written the entry but said the Administrator "does not publicly express political preferences or engage in political activities".
"The Administrator is a non-partisan role and publicly neutral,"they said.
"As a non-partisan role, it would not be appropriate for the Administrator to disclose a preference in the outcome of this weekend's federal election."
The NT's Government House website also states "His Honour performs a similar constitutional role to that of a state governor and does not participate in the political process".
The spokesperson added that the Administrator was "subject to the same voter eligibility requirements as any other Australian".
Hugh Heggie has been the NT Administrator since February 2023. (Supplied: Pema Pakhrin/NT News)
Professor Heggie was appointed the NT's 23rd Administrator in February 2023 by the previous Territory Labor government.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who led the Country Liberal Party (CLP) to power at last year's NT election, was approached for comment.
A CLP government spokesperson responded to say "this is a matter entirely for the Administrator to comment on".
Lia Finocchiaro was elected as the NT Chief Minister in August. (ABC News: Pete Garnish)
Labor MP Luke Gosling, who's vying to retain the Top End seat of Solomon at Saturday's election, said "any comments made by the Administrator are a matter for him".
The CLP's Solomon candidate Lisa Bayliss also said it was "not appropriate" for her to comment.
The NT Greens' Solomon candidate Jonathan Parry said the Administrator's role was "completely apolitical".
"It's entirely inappropriate for him to be expressing a political opinion," he said.
Independent candidate for Solomon Phil Scott said he was "shocked".
"I'm conscious that the role of public officials ought to be impartial," he said.
The Administrator's spokesperson declined to make further comment.
LoadingLoading...Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link.