Labor has been trounced in the Northern Territory. They were hoping to just hold on but a massive backlash has swept them from power in yesterday’s election:
THE Country Liberal Party has seized power in the Northern Territory, bringing to an end 11 years of Labor rule.
“Tonight Territorians have spoken and I respect their decision,” outgoing Chief Minister Paul Henderson said as he conceded the Labor had lost the election.
“My best wishes to Terry Mills, as he and the CLP will form the next government,” Mr Henderson said at an ALP function in Darwin.
“He inherits a territory that is heading in the right direction,” he said.
Preliminary results show the CLP appears to have secured a swing towards it of more than six per cent, giving it at least 14 seats in the 25-seat Legislative Assembly.
Two other seats are in doubt and independent MP Gerry Wood appears likely to hold onto his seat.
Rural electorates played a major part in the result, with big swings against Labor in remote areas and the ALP also losing the Darwin seat of Daly.
Only South Australia and Tasmania remain as Labor held states.
