Fanning puts up hand for contest
A LOCAL candidate has emerged as a potential frontrunner for CLP preselection at the August 20 Fannie Bay byelection.
Emily Fanning, a policy adviser in the office of Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro and a Fannie Bay local, has told the Sunday Territorian she is putting up her hand.
“The most fundamental role of a local member is to represent their community,” Mrs Fanning said.
“As a local raising my young family in Parap, I know and love my community, and have already garnered support from locals. If selected, I plan to focus on engaging with my community and local businesses so that I can be guided by local solutions and together we can tackle any issue.”
She was born and raised in Canada and migrated to Darwin in 2010 for what was supposed to be a three-month study exchange.
“I fell in love with the Territory lifestyle and the people and met my husband, Nathan, here. I’ve never lived anywhere else in Australia and don’t expect I’ll ever leave,” she said.
“My little sister moved to Australia not long after I did to attend med school and has worked as a doctor at Royal Darwin Hospital for almost four years.”
Mrs Fanning says issues around anti-social behaviour and crime must be tackled at a whole-of-government level.
“In my mind safety, financial security and sustainability are fundamental rights that are not being met under the current government,” she said.
“I will make these my priorities and I think that these goals align most closely with CLP values.
“If selected, I look forward to being supported by a CLP team where I know my voice and the voices of my community, will be listened to.”
Mrs Fanning was front and centre at the CLP’s Parap market stall on Saturday.
She joins former 2016 CLP candidate Ben Hosking, who has already said he will contest Fannie Bay. With the party’s pre-selection set to close at midnight on Sunday and selection to take place on Monday, it is possible a candidate will not be named until after the Darwin Cup long weekend.
CLP president Fiona Darcy said the party was determined to pick the best candidate for the Fannie Bay community.
An official candidate launch is expected to take place in Fannie Bay on Thursday.