The Northern Territory election is on track to deliver a landslide victory to the Country Liberal Party (CLP), with early counting suggesting the Labor government faces a potential wipeout.
With a significant swing against the incumbent Labor government, the CLP is projected to win a large majority in the 25-seat legislative assembly, potentially reducing Labor to just a handful of seats.
Labor's collapse
The ABC's election analyst Antony Green has called the election for the CLP, saying the swing is "massive" and that Labor is "in danger of being wiped out."
Labor's primary vote has collapsed, with the party trailing the CLP by a wide margin in early counting. Several senior Labor ministers are at risk of losing their seats, including Deputy Premier Nicole Manison and Treasurer Michael Gunner.
CLP's return
The CLP, led by Lia Finocchiaro, is set to return to government after eight years in opposition. Finocchiaro is expected to become the first female chief minister of the Northern Territory.
The CLP's campaign focused on law and order, the economy, and a promise to reduce the size of government. The party has also pledged to review the territory's alcohol policies.
Implications
The result is a devastating blow to Labor, which had held power in the NT since 2016. The party's defeat is being attributed to a range of factors, including a perceived lack of delivery on key issues such as crime and housing.
The new CLP government will face significant challenges, including a struggling economy, high rates of youth crime, and a remote Indigenous population with poor health outcomes. The party has promised to address these issues with a focus on jobs and economic development.
