Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has stood by the appointment of David Connolly as Northern Territory administrator, while a protest outside Parliament House led to the arrest of an Aboriginal elder.
Connolly was sworn in on Feb. 27 as the Territory’s 24th administrator—a role similar to a state governor—in a ceremony attended by Australian Governor General Sam Mostyn. Proceedings inside continued without disruption.
Outside, about 100 demonstrators gathered near the entrance after Connolly’s previous social media posts were seen as offensive, causing some opposition to his appointment.
Speaker Robyn Lambley did not grant permission for the rally, citing “insufficient capacity to accommodate a demonstration” during the official ceremony.
Larrakia Elder Eric Fejo was taken into custody during the protest and escorted to a police vehicle, which was briefly surrounded by chanting demonstrators calling “shame” and “let him go.” Police confirmed one arrest.
As dignitaries arrived, protesters shouted “not my administrator,” reflecting weeks of backlash since the appointment was announced in December 2025.
Finocchiaro defended Connolly’s credentials, highlighting his long involvement in the Territory’s primary industries.
“His Honour has spent nearly two decades working in the Northern Territory, building strong relationships across regional and remote communities,” she said.
“He has played a prominent role in the Territory’s primary industries, including serving as President of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association during the live cattle export ban, where he demonstrated strong advocacy and leadership during a challenging period for the industry.”
Ceremony Overshadowed by Past Posts
In his address, Connolly acknowledged the Larrakia people and said he had begun the day with a Welcome to Country ceremony at Mindil Beach.“I am a lot of things, and none of them perfect, but I am not one to step back when asked to step forward,” he told the NT parliament.
His appointment has been clouded by previously deleted social media posts that resurfaced in recent months.
In 2020, he quipped that he was Indigenous. “Indigenous—‘originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.’ On this definition, I am Indigenous to Australia,” he posted.
In another post on Australia Day in 2020, he noted crowds of people chanting Australia would always be Aboriginal land. He then questioned whether the “white fellas” in the crowd would give their land to Aboriginals.
More recently in 2024, he replied to a post criticising the Welcome to Country ceremony, saying, “Hmmm welcome to my house; that'll be $3,000 thanks.”
Connolly issued an apology days before the swearing-in and deleted his X account.
“I never intended to cause offence. I am genuinely sorry for the hurt they may have caused members of the community,” he said in a statement.
“These posts are no reflection of my personal core values.”
Calls to Revoke Appointment
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT) called for the appointment to be withdrawn.APONT Chair Theresa Roe said the issue was one of public trust.
“Such views have no place in the office of the NT Administrator. This behaviour only creates division in the Territory.”
In the days leading up to the ceremony, dozens of politicians, advocates and community groups wrote to the prime minister, calling for him to “urgently rescind” the appointment.
Albanese declined to intervene, saying there was no precedent for the federal government blocking a vice-regal appointment made by a territory government. He added, however, that it was not a decision he personally would have made.
Northern Territory MP Yingiya Guyula said Connolly’s apology came too late to restore confidence.
“He has a clear record that everyone can see of being offensive,” he said in a comment obtained by AAP.
“He was the wrong choice for the position.”
Guyula was among those involved in last-minute efforts to halt the appointment.
