A broad coalition of Aboriginal leaders, women's organisations, and anti-discrimination advocates have penned an open letter to the prime minister calling for him to block the swearing-in of the NT administrator this Friday.
Since his nomination, David Connolly has been criticised over a slew of past social media posts that have been labelled as racist, transphobic, and demeaning to women.
The posts include comments that mock Welcome to Country ceremonies, ridicule Indigenous languages, and joke about perpetrating domestic violence.
In January, Mr Connolly said in a statement he had no "intention to cause offence", but offered no apology.
Signatories to the letter include Larrakia Elder Dr Richard Fejo, Chair of the Northern Land Council Matt Ryan, the NT anti-discrimination Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam, and all members of the NT Labor opposition and crossbench.
The letter states Mr Connolly's comments have caused "widespread distress and division".
"An overwhelming number of Territorians have spoken out publicly and privately about the harm and hurt his appointment has caused," the letter reads.
"Mr Connolly's appointment has undermined confidence in whether they are respected, safe, and advocated for within our civic institutions."
'Increasingly hostile environment'
Yolŋu man and NT Independent Member for Mulka, Yingiya Mark Guyula, is a signatory to the open letter but has also penned his own personal plea to the Prime Minister.
"This appointment symbolises the increasingly hostile environment towards Aboriginal people in the NT and it makes us feel exhausted and powerless in our fight to change the course of growing division in the Northern Territory," Mr Guyula said in his own open letter to the Prime Minister.
"I am calling for national leadership," he said.
Mr Guyula says he is concerned the appointment will embolden others to act with prejudice and division.
“I am deeply concerned about the rising levels of racism and offensive comments directed towards Aboriginal people," he said.
“The NT Administrator is a leadership position that requires someone who can work respectfully and in partnership with all people – not create further divides."
'No precedent' to intervene
In response to queries from NITV, the prime minister's press secretary pointed to previous comments Mr Albanese had made that indicate he will not intervene.
At a press conference in January, the prime minister said there was "no precedent whatsoever for the Commonwealth government intervening in such a way".
"This is a decision of the Northern Territory government," Mr Albanese said.
On Monday, the NT Labor opposition and crossbench staged a walkout of parliament during question time over the issue.
NT Chief Minister later took aim at opponents of Mr Connolly's appointment.
"He is the Administrator now and people should have some respect," NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro told Mix 104.9.
Despite the controversy over Mr Connolly's comments about Aboriginal people, she accused the NT Labor Opposition and crossbench of "making it a race issue".
"People can make mistakes, people can have personal views," Ms Finocchiaro said.
Opponents of Mr Connolly's appointment have planned a protest around the time of his swearing-in on Friday.
They had originally intended to hold the protest out the front of NT Parliament House, but late Tuesday the Speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly said she had declined that request.
In a statement Speaker Robyn Lambley cited security concerns and said there was "insufficient capacity to accommodate a demonstration alongside the official proceedings of the swearing-in ceremony".
"On this occasion all measures must be employed to ensure the security of the dignitaries involved," she said.
