NT election: Labor to retain majority government as Country Liberals concede defeat

Michael Gunner's Labor government have retained power in the Northern Territory, with the opposition Country Liberal Party conceding defeat.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin on Saturday.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin on Saturday. Source: AAP

Labor will retain majority government in the Northern Territory with the latest result count confirming the party will hold .

The Country Liberal Party (CLP) conceded defeat on Monday afternoon.

The most recent figures from the Northern Territory Electoral Commission show Labor ahead in 16 seats, with the Country Liberals leading in six, independents in two and the Territory Alliance in one.

A formal declaration of the poll is not scheduled until 7 September, as postal votes are still coming in.
Country Liberal Party Lia Finocchiaro has conceded defeat in the Northern Territory election.
Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro has conceded defeat in the Northern Territory election. Source: AAP
Counting in the crucial seat of Fong Lim swung Labor's way on Monday afternoon, with candidate Mark Monaghan ahead of his CLP rival Kylie Bonanni by 137 votes.

The seat of Namatjira also dropped out of the CLP's column, with Labor's Sheralee Taylor leading the CLP's Bill Yan by 20 votes on a two-candidate preferred basis.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro said in a statement it was now clear Labor had enough seats for form government.

"I called Michael Gunner a short time ago to congratulate him and the Labor Party on winning the election, and urged him to move immediately to take real action on the economy," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"The rhetoric from the Gunner government about 'saving jobs and savings lives' needs to stop and tangible action must be taken without delay."

Labor was ahead in Arafura, Arnhem, Barkly, Blain, Casuarina, Drysdale, Fannie Bay, Fong Lim, Johnston, Karama, Gwoja, Namatjira, Nightcliff, Port Darwin, Sanderson and Wanguri.

The CLP appeared on track to win Braitling, Brennan, Daly, Katherine, Nelson and Spillett.
Independents will hold Mulka and Goyder, while the Territory Alliance is set to take Araluen.

Alliance leader Terry Mills was the biggest casualty of election night, losing his seat of Blain.


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2 min read
Published 24 August 2020 6:09pm
Updated 24 August 2020 6:12pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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