Territory Labor has claimed victory in a close election race sparked by the departure of former chief minister Michael Gunner, despite a swing to the opposition and the Greens.
Key points:
- The seat was left vacant by the departure of former Chief Minister Michael Gunner
- Fannie Bay has been in Labor hands since 1995
- The NT Electoral Commission says voter turnout was significantly lower than during the last election
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles declared victory in the inner Darwin seat of Fannie Bay for candidate Brent Potter, two and a half hours after the polls closed on Saturday night.
“Fannie Bay constituents have been heard,” Ms. Fyles said.
“They want a government that will support them and only a Labor government can do that.”
Potter had 52 per cent of the two-party preferred vote when Labor declared victory.
As for the first preferences, Ben Hosking, of the Liberal Party of the Country (CLP), advanced with 42% of the votes in the primaries.
Potter won the seat despite a significant drop in the Labor primary vote. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
The vote in the Labor primaries is down, the Greens are up
The figure for Labor was 33 per cent of first preferences, with 19 per cent going to the Greens, nine per cent for the minor party since the last general election.
In a short victory speech, Potter thanked the Labor party and volunteers, as well as Mr. Gunner and to the union of the Association of Employees of Stores, Distributives and Allies.
“First and foremost to the voters of Fannie Bay, I want to thank you for believing in me,” he said.
“I said I’m going to be a strong voice and I’m going to be a strong voice for you for the next two years.”
Brent Potter with Eva Lawler, Michael Gunner, Nicole Manison and Natasha Fyles after declaring victory. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Ms Fyles brushed aside questions on Saturday night about the significant drop in Labour’s primary vote, which was 48.2% in the 2020 election.
“I think there will be a lot of analysis of this result over the next few days and weeks,” he said.
“What this is is the fourth consecutive electoral defeat for Lia Finocchiaro and the CLP.”
Natasha Fyles, Michael Gunner and Brent Potter at Parap Primary School on voting day for the Fannie Bay by-election on Saturday August 20, 2022. (Supplied: Facebook)
CLP says voters have sent Labor a message
Hosking led the two-party favorite count before ballots from the Parap polling center pushed Labor over the line.
At the CLP’s election night meeting, leader Lia Finocchiaro declared the result a blow for Labor and a boost for the opposition.
“It’s a good night for the CLP and it’s a good night for the territorials, who have clearly sent a message to Labour,” he said.
Lia Finocchiaro, pictured with Ben Hosking, says the result is a boost for the Country Liberal Party. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Ms Finocchiaro said the opposition’s message – “that Labor has completely destroyed our way of life and created a community where there is no community safety” – had resonated with voters.
“We are also very encouraged that the CLP has had a six per cent swing to him as a result of this election,” he said.
“This paves the way for us to victory in 2024.”
Political debate throughout the campaign focused heavily on crime and anti-social behaviour.
And in the last seat held by a former chief minister, the Labor and CLP candidates concentrated their campaign on hyper-local issues.
Potter pledged $10 million toward the construction of the new Parap Preschool, as well as additional community safety measures, including coastal patrols and a strong voice in government.
Hosking voiced an end to the public service pay freeze, the reintroduction of various public consumption laws and increased incentives for rooftop solar.
Gunner won four elections in the seat which Labor has held since 1995 before announcing his retirement from politics last month.
The electorate covers the generally more affluent Darwin suburbs of Fannie Bay, Parap and East Point, on the water’s edge.
Voter turnout in the seat was 68 per cent, which NT Electoral Commissioner Ian Loganathan said was shockingly low.