4 SEPTEMBER, 2023
Who: Charles Darwin University political economist Professor Rolf Gerritsen
Topics:
- Intergovernmental relations, local government and policy management.
- Economic and regional development policy.
- Remote and northern Australian development.
Contact details: Call +61 8 8946 6721 or email media@cdu.edu.au to arrange an interview.
Quotes attributable to Professor Gerritsen:
On the popularity of the Greens:
"In certain parts of Australia's metropolitan areas, the Greens have more community ‘activists’ than the major parties, and they bring the same campaign workers to local elections as they do to Territory and Federal politics. Other Council candidates usually have to rely on informal networks of personal supporters.”
On if this could foreshadow the outcome of future elections:
“It depends on two factors: If there is a swing to the CLP, then I expect the Green vote to cannibalise Labor. If the election is close, then potential Green voters will stay with Labor.
“The Green vote in the NT seems to be stuck at just below 10 per cent. I cannot see fracking and Middle Arm increasing their vote because of the ‘developmentalist’ ethos of NT politics. You don't have a large, securely employed workforce outside of the NT public service that is the basis of Green/Teal type voters.
“The Greens treat all levels of government as an opportunity to advance their agenda. The major parties, by-and-large, don't take local government seriously - except for the Nationals and they don't operate where Greens are strong.”
Contact details:
Raphaella Saroukos she/her
Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
Larrakia Country
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: media@cdu.edu.au
W: cdu.edu.au