Northern Territory legislative election, 2005
Encyclopedia
A general election was held in the Northern Territory
, Australia
, on 18 June 2005. The centre-left Australian Labor Party
, led by Chief Minister
Clare Martin
, won a second term with a landslide victory, winning six of the ten seats held by the opposition Country Liberal Party
in the 25-member Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
, bringing their total to 19. Aside from the territory's first election in 1974
where the CLP won 17 seats on 49% with the ALP winning 0 seats on 30%, http://www.upperhouse.info/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleId=7 it was the largest victory in any Northern Territory election. Opposition Leader Denis Burke's loss of his own seat of Brennan
was only the second time a party leader in the Territory had been defeated in their own electorate, after former Majority Leader Goff Letts
losing his seat of Victoria River
in 1977
.
won 52.5% of the vote, which was an increase of 11.9% over the 2001 election
. The opposition Country Liberal Party
polled 35.3%, a drop of 10.1% from 2001. The two party preferred result was Labor on 59.1% to the CLP on 40.9%, a swing to Labor of 11.1% from the previous election. The Northern Territory Greens
ran an increased number of candidates, and managed to increase their vote through much of Darwin
, but had very little effect on the outcome of the election.
The Australian Labor Party won 19 seats, against the Country Liberal Party opposition's four seats. Two independent members, Loraine Braham
and Gerry Wood
, were also re-elected. The size of the government's win was very much unexpected - while they had been favourite to win a second term, most commentators had predicted a gain of one or two seats at best. Five of the six seats won by the ALP - Brennan
, Daly
, Drysdale
, Goyder
and Port Darwin
- were formerly safe conservative seats that they had never won before in the history of the Assembly. The ALP also retrieved the seat of MacDonnell
, which had been an ALP safe seat until its shock fall to the CLP in 1997. The CLP also very narrowly failed to win back the formerly safe seat of Braitling
from independent Loraine Braham
, despite a strong challenge from CLP candidate Michael Jones.
Amidst what was their worst ever result, the CLP did have some good news in two seats which the ALP had been openly hoping to win. The ALP had run Fran Kilgariff, the very high profile Mayor of Alice Springs
and daughter of CLP founder Bernie Kilgariff
as their candidate in Greatorex
, against CLP Deputy Leader Dr Richard Lim
. Despite Kilgariff's profile and the massive swing against the CLP elsewhere in the Territory, Lim managed to very narrowly retain his seat. There was a swing to the CLP in only one seat - Araluen
, where leadership aspirant Jodeen Carney
comfortably retained what had been the most marginal CLP-held seat.
The severity of the landslide result was all the more surprising considering that the ALP had never before been in government until 2001. The Legislative Assembly had been created in 1974, and the CLP had held government for an unbroken stretch of 27 years before Clare Martin
won the ALP's first victory in 2001. The victory was seen in many cases as an endorsement of Martin's first government, and the ALP's ability to lead the Territory, as the CLP had consistently alleged that the ALP would be unfit to govern the Territory, and had used this as a key tactic during election campaigns many times in the past. However, it was also seen as being a vote of no-confidence in the opposition, and in the days after the election result, conservative Prime Minister
John Howard
strongly criticised the CLP for what he saw as their poor performance in opposition. Furthermore, the reduction of the CLP to just four seats raised questions as to whether it was viable for them to continue to be separate from the Liberal
-National
coalition which operates as the conservative party at federal level and in every other state and territory.
There were several prominent casualties of the election, but none was more significant or surprising than the defeat of Opposition Leader Denis Burke in Brennan
. Brennan was the CLP's safest seat anywhere in the Territory, and the ALP had never won a seat anywhere in Palmerston
. There had been no suggestion from any major commentators or opinion polls that Burke was even remotely under threat, but he was swept aside on election day with a swing against him of more than 21%. The ALP candidate, James Burke
, a virtually unknown labor lawyer, expressed shock at his own win, and became a party legend overnight. Denis Burke had already stated that he would resign as party leader if he lost the election, but the loss of his seat forced the party to find a new leader immediately. The four remaining CLP members unanimously replaced Burke with Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Health Minister Jodeen Carney
http://www.clp.org.au/news/default.asp?action=article&ID=7.
While the loss of Burke was a major shock, the defeat of three other CLP sitting members, Sue Carter
(Port Darwin
) Stephen Dunham
(Drysdale
), John Elferink
(MacDonnell
) also posed major problems for the party. Elferink had been the Leader of Opposition Business, Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Community Development, Housing, Local Government, Sport and Recreation, Regional Development, and Indigenous Affairs, Dunham had been the Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Lands and Planning, Parks and Wildlife and Essential Services, and Carter had been the Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Environment and Heritage, Arts and Museums and Women's Policy. In the aftermath of their defeat, all of these portfolios will have to be redistributed among the four remaining CLP members, Jodeen Carney
(Araluen
), Dr Richard Lim
(Greatorex
) Fay Miller
(Katherine
) and Terry Mills
(Blain
). This has raised concerns from both sides of politics about the CLP's ability to mount any form of effective opposition in the new parliament.
The two independent members of the outgoing parliament, disendorsed former CLP minister Loraine Braham
and former Litchfield Mayor Gerry Wood
both managed to retain their seats. In the lead-up to the election, there had been some suggestion that Wood may have some difficulty retaining his seat, but Braham had been widely expected to win another term. The final result turned out to be the opposite; Wood cruised to victory with a massive swing in his favour, whereas Braham very narrowly retained her seat in a result that was not known for several days after the election. The election was a disappointment for other independent candidates; Wood's successor as Litchfield Mayor, Mary Walshe, fell well short of expectations in Goyder
, and Wadeye
councillor Dale Seaniger failed to make much impact in Daly
.
As in past elections, minor parties failed to make much impact at the 2005 election. While the Northern Territory Greens
ran an increased number of candidates and increased their votes, none of their candidates, including leader Ilana Eldridge came close to winning a seat, and their preferences had comparatively little effect on the outcome of any seats, let alone the election. The Network Against Prohibition
ran in several seats, but did noticeably poorly. The Australian Democrats
ran candidates in only two seats, a significant decrease from 2001, and barely rated at all. The Socialist Alliance
chose not to run any candidates for financial reasons, instead endorsing the Green and NAP candidates.
campaigned on this heavily during their 27-year unbroken stint in government. Perhaps in acknowledgment of this, the Australian Labor Party
is also attempting to present itself as being harsh on antisocial behaviour. Mandatory sentencing
is an issue in the background; there is some dispute as to its popularity in the Territory, and it is likely that a CLP government would reintroduce the policy, whereas it will almost definitely remain abolished under an ALP government.
While there had been a form of unofficial campaign going on for some months, due to the persistent rumors of a coming election, there had been comparatively little in the way of policy announcements or major developments. Both parties began trading accusations that the other was being overly influenced by "southerners", with the ALP noting that the CLP had hired controversial federal Liberal
staffer Ian Hanke and taking advantage of Burke's statements that he had had assistance from the federal Liberals in drafting his economic policies. At the same time, the CLP has been trying to link Martin's fortunes to those of less popular federal Labor leader Kim Beazley
, and has suggested that she is being overly influenced by the federal party. (Where the CLP exists only in the Northern Territory, but is allied with the federal Liberals, the ALP is an entirely federal party.)
The CLP has also suffered due to a damaging row between Burke and former Shadow Minister Peter Maley
, culminating in Maley's expulsion from the party on 19 May 2005. While Maley had once been touted as a potential leadership contender, he was later dumped from the ministry, and soon after announced his intention to retire at the 2005 election. Maley had reportedly not told Burke of his decision to retire before telling the media, and combined with his earlier axing, this aggravated tensions between the two. When the story broke on that Maley's wife had taken out a court order against him over domestic violence issues (although this was quickly withdrawn), Burke abruptly expelled Maley from the party. Maley served out the last weeks of his term as an independent, and briefly threatened to run for re-election, before deciding to publicly endorse the ALP candidate in his seat.
With the official announcement of the election on 30 May, the campaign began in earnest. Both parties made their first major policy launch on 1 June, with the ALP announcing plans to introduce laws cracking down on habitual drunks involved in antisocial behaviour, forcing them to undergo treatment or face jail, with a special alcohol court planned to deal with these offences. In contrast, the CLP concentrated on the economy, launching its "Territory 2020" plan to encourage business growth in the Territory, which amongst other things, would involve setting up a fund to encourage innovation and providing assistance to the armoured vehicle maintenance industry (Due to its location, Darwin, the Territory's capital, is a major defence hub, and defence industries are particularly important to the city's economy).
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, on 18 June 2005. The centre-left Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
, led by Chief Minister
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory is appointed by the Administrator, who in normal circumstances will appoint the head of whatever party holds the majority of seats in the legislature of the territory...
Clare Martin
Clare Martin
Clare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995...
, won a second term with a landslide victory, winning six of the ten seats held by the opposition Country Liberal Party
Country Liberal Party
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties...
in the 25-member Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory is the unicameral parliament of the Northern Territory in Australia. It sits in Parliament House, located on State Square, close to the centre of the city of Darwin.-History:...
, bringing their total to 19. Aside from the territory's first election in 1974
Northern Territory general election, 1974
The first general election for the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly was held in the Northern Territory on Saturday 19 October 1974, and was won by the incumbent Country Liberal Party ....
where the CLP won 17 seats on 49% with the ALP winning 0 seats on 30%, http://www.upperhouse.info/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleId=7 it was the largest victory in any Northern Territory election. Opposition Leader Denis Burke's loss of his own seat of Brennan
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
was only the second time a party leader in the Territory had been defeated in their own electorate, after former Majority Leader Goff Letts
Goff Letts
Dr Godfrey Alan Letts CBE was the Majority Leader of the Northern Territory of Australia from 1974 to 1977.Born in Donald, Victoria, Letts attended Melbourne Grammar and Melbourne and Sydney Universities, graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinarian Science in 1950...
losing his seat of Victoria River
Electoral division of Victoria River
Victoria River was an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. One of the Legislative Assembly's original electorates, it was first contested at the 1974 election, and was named after the Victoria River. It was abolished in 2001 and replaced with the new...
in 1977
Northern Territory general election, 1977
A general election was held in the Northern Territory on Saturday 13 August 1977. Though the election was won by the incumbent Country Liberal Party , the party lost five of its seven executive members, including Majority Leader Goff Letts...
.
Overall result
The Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
won 52.5% of the vote, which was an increase of 11.9% over the 2001 election
Northern Territory legislative election, 2001
A general election was held in the Northern Territory, Australia, on 18 August 2001. The centre-left Australian Labor Party , led by Clare Martin, won a surprising victory over the then-majority Country Liberal Party . Before this, the CLP had held 18 out the 25 seats in theNorthern Territory...
. The opposition Country Liberal Party
Country Liberal Party
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties...
polled 35.3%, a drop of 10.1% from 2001. The two party preferred result was Labor on 59.1% to the CLP on 40.9%, a swing to Labor of 11.1% from the previous election. The Northern Territory Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
ran an increased number of candidates, and managed to increase their vote through much of Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, but had very little effect on the outcome of the election.
The Australian Labor Party won 19 seats, against the Country Liberal Party opposition's four seats. Two independent members, Loraine Braham
Loraine Braham
Loraine Margaret Braham is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2008, representing the electorate of Braitling...
and Gerry Wood
Gerry Wood
Gerard Vincent "Gerry" Wood is an Australian politician. A former mayor of the Northern Territory shire of Litchfield, he has been an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2001, representing the electorate of Nelson....
, were also re-elected. The size of the government's win was very much unexpected - while they had been favourite to win a second term, most commentators had predicted a gain of one or two seats at best. Five of the six seats won by the ALP - Brennan
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
, Daly
Electoral division of Daly
Daly is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 2001, and takes its name from the Daly River region which lies at the heart of the electorate. Daly covers some 161,108.65 km², encompassing the towns of Adelaide River, Acacia Hills,...
, Drysdale
Electoral division of Drysdale
Drysdale is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Fred Drysdale, a former member of the Legislative Council. It covers 221.67 km², encompassing outer suburban areas of both Darwin and Palmerston as well...
, Goyder
Electoral division of Goyder
Goyder is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and is named after George Goyder, the South Australian surveyor responsible for carrying out the first freehold surveys in the area...
and Port Darwin
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
- were formerly safe conservative seats that they had never won before in the history of the Assembly. The ALP also retrieved the seat of MacDonnell
Electoral division of MacDonnell
MacDonnell is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and derives its name from the nearby MacDonnell Ranges. MacDonnell is an almost entirely rural electorate, covering 333398.61 km², and taking in the resort town of...
, which had been an ALP safe seat until its shock fall to the CLP in 1997. The CLP also very narrowly failed to win back the formerly safe seat of Braitling
Electoral division of Braitling
Braitling is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 1983, when the electorate of Alice Springs was abolished as part of an enlargement of the Assembly. Braitling is an almost entirely urban electorate, covering 31.6 km² in...
from independent Loraine Braham
Loraine Braham
Loraine Margaret Braham is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2008, representing the electorate of Braitling...
, despite a strong challenge from CLP candidate Michael Jones.
Amidst what was their worst ever result, the CLP did have some good news in two seats which the ALP had been openly hoping to win. The ALP had run Fran Kilgariff, the very high profile Mayor of Alice Springs
Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Alice Springs is the second largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia. Popularly known as "the Alice" or simply "Alice", Alice Springs is situated in the geographic centre of Australia near the southern border of the Northern Territory...
and daughter of CLP founder Bernie Kilgariff
Bernie Kilgariff
Bernard Francis "Bernie" Kilgariff AM was an Australian politician. He was one of the founders of the Country Liberal Party and served as a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly before being elected to the Australian Senate.-Early life:Kilgariff was born in Adelaide, South...
as their candidate in Greatorex
Electoral division of Greatorex
Greatorex is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1987, replacing the abolished electorate of Sadadeen, and is named after Tony Greatorex, the last President of the Legislative Council...
, against CLP Deputy Leader Dr Richard Lim
Richard Lim
Richard Soon Huat Lim is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Greatorex in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 until his resignation in 2007....
. Despite Kilgariff's profile and the massive swing against the CLP elsewhere in the Territory, Lim managed to very narrowly retain his seat. There was a swing to the CLP in only one seat - Araluen
Electoral division of Araluen
Araluen is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1983, replacing the electorate of Alice Springs, which had been abolished as part of the enlargement of the Assembly...
, where leadership aspirant Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Terese Carney is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from September 2001 to September 2010, representing the Alice Springs-based electorate of Araluen...
comfortably retained what had been the most marginal CLP-held seat.
The severity of the landslide result was all the more surprising considering that the ALP had never before been in government until 2001. The Legislative Assembly had been created in 1974, and the CLP had held government for an unbroken stretch of 27 years before Clare Martin
Clare Martin
Clare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995...
won the ALP's first victory in 2001. The victory was seen in many cases as an endorsement of Martin's first government, and the ALP's ability to lead the Territory, as the CLP had consistently alleged that the ALP would be unfit to govern the Territory, and had used this as a key tactic during election campaigns many times in the past. However, it was also seen as being a vote of no-confidence in the opposition, and in the days after the election result, conservative Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
strongly criticised the CLP for what he saw as their poor performance in opposition. Furthermore, the reduction of the CLP to just four seats raised questions as to whether it was viable for them to continue to be separate from the Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
-National
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
coalition which operates as the conservative party at federal level and in every other state and territory.
There were several prominent casualties of the election, but none was more significant or surprising than the defeat of Opposition Leader Denis Burke in Brennan
Electoral division of Brennan
Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin...
. Brennan was the CLP's safest seat anywhere in the Territory, and the ALP had never won a seat anywhere in Palmerston
Palmerston, Northern Territory
Palmerston is a planned satellite city of Darwin, the capital and largest city in Australia's Northern Territory. Palmerston is situated near Darwin Harbour and has an urban population of 23,614 on the 2006 Census night and making it the second largest city in the territory...
. There had been no suggestion from any major commentators or opinion polls that Burke was even remotely under threat, but he was swept aside on election day with a swing against him of more than 21%. The ALP candidate, James Burke
James Burke (Australian politician)
James Patrick Burke is a former an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan. James Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of his namesake , the Opposition...
, a virtually unknown labor lawyer, expressed shock at his own win, and became a party legend overnight. Denis Burke had already stated that he would resign as party leader if he lost the election, but the loss of his seat forced the party to find a new leader immediately. The four remaining CLP members unanimously replaced Burke with Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Health Minister Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Terese Carney is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from September 2001 to September 2010, representing the Alice Springs-based electorate of Araluen...
http://www.clp.org.au/news/default.asp?action=article&ID=7.
While the loss of Burke was a major shock, the defeat of three other CLP sitting members, Sue Carter
Sue Carter
Susan Jill Carter is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2005, representing the central Darwin electorate of Port Darwin...
(Port Darwin
Electoral division of Port Darwin
Port Darwin is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and is an entirely urban electorate, covering only 13.65 km² and taking in the Darwin central business district, as well as the suburb of Larrakeyah and part of Stuart...
) Stephen Dunham
Stephen Dunham
Stephen Dunham is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Edward Pillows in DAG. He is married to actress Alexondra Lee.- Career :...
(Drysdale
Electoral division of Drysdale
Drysdale is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Fred Drysdale, a former member of the Legislative Council. It covers 221.67 km², encompassing outer suburban areas of both Darwin and Palmerston as well...
), John Elferink
John Elferink
Johan Wessel Elferink is an Australian politician.He was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2005, representing the rural electorate of MacDonnell...
(MacDonnell
Electoral division of MacDonnell
MacDonnell is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and derives its name from the nearby MacDonnell Ranges. MacDonnell is an almost entirely rural electorate, covering 333398.61 km², and taking in the resort town of...
) also posed major problems for the party. Elferink had been the Leader of Opposition Business, Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Community Development, Housing, Local Government, Sport and Recreation, Regional Development, and Indigenous Affairs, Dunham had been the Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Lands and Planning, Parks and Wildlife and Essential Services, and Carter had been the Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Environment and Heritage, Arts and Museums and Women's Policy. In the aftermath of their defeat, all of these portfolios will have to be redistributed among the four remaining CLP members, Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Carney
Jodeen Terese Carney is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from September 2001 to September 2010, representing the Alice Springs-based electorate of Araluen...
(Araluen
Electoral division of Araluen
Araluen is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1983, replacing the electorate of Alice Springs, which had been abolished as part of the enlargement of the Assembly...
), Dr Richard Lim
Richard Lim
Richard Soon Huat Lim is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Greatorex in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 until his resignation in 2007....
(Greatorex
Electoral division of Greatorex
Greatorex is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1987, replacing the abolished electorate of Sadadeen, and is named after Tony Greatorex, the last President of the Legislative Council...
) Fay Miller
Fay Miller
Christina Fay Miller is a former Australian politician. She was the Country Liberal Party member for Katherine in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2008.Miller was born in South Australia, moving to Katherine in 1989...
(Katherine
Electoral division of Katherine
Katherine is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. The electorate was first created in 1987 and derives its name from the city of the same name. Katherine encompasses both urban and rural areas, covering an area of 417.9 km² and taking in the city of...
) and Terry Mills
Terry Mills
Terry Richard Mills is a retired American professional basketball player at the power forward position.After a standout career at Romulus High School, Mills was named 1986 Mr. Basketball of Michigan...
(Blain
Electoral division of Blain
Blain is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Adair Blain, the second member for the federal Northern Territory electorate, and the only Australian sitting MP to ever become a prisoner of war...
). This has raised concerns from both sides of politics about the CLP's ability to mount any form of effective opposition in the new parliament.
The two independent members of the outgoing parliament, disendorsed former CLP minister Loraine Braham
Loraine Braham
Loraine Margaret Braham is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2008, representing the electorate of Braitling...
and former Litchfield Mayor Gerry Wood
Gerry Wood
Gerard Vincent "Gerry" Wood is an Australian politician. A former mayor of the Northern Territory shire of Litchfield, he has been an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2001, representing the electorate of Nelson....
both managed to retain their seats. In the lead-up to the election, there had been some suggestion that Wood may have some difficulty retaining his seat, but Braham had been widely expected to win another term. The final result turned out to be the opposite; Wood cruised to victory with a massive swing in his favour, whereas Braham very narrowly retained her seat in a result that was not known for several days after the election. The election was a disappointment for other independent candidates; Wood's successor as Litchfield Mayor, Mary Walshe, fell well short of expectations in Goyder
Electoral division of Goyder
Goyder is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and is named after George Goyder, the South Australian surveyor responsible for carrying out the first freehold surveys in the area...
, and Wadeye
Wadeye, Northern Territory
Wadeye is a town in Australia's Northern Territory.Wadeye was formerly known as Port Keats. The town is remote, situated on the western edge of the Daly River Reserve more than 200 km south west of Darwin, with road access being cut off by flooding during the wet season. Year round access is via...
councillor Dale Seaniger failed to make much impact in Daly
Electoral division of Daly
Daly is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 2001, and takes its name from the Daly River region which lies at the heart of the electorate. Daly covers some 161,108.65 km², encompassing the towns of Adelaide River, Acacia Hills,...
.
As in past elections, minor parties failed to make much impact at the 2005 election. While the Northern Territory Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
ran an increased number of candidates and increased their votes, none of their candidates, including leader Ilana Eldridge came close to winning a seat, and their preferences had comparatively little effect on the outcome of any seats, let alone the election. The Network Against Prohibition
Network Against Prohibition
Network Against Prohibition is the name given to the drug law reform and human rights activist group that began on 7 March 2002, in Darwin, Australia in response to the Northern Territory Labor Government's drug house legislation...
ran in several seats, but did noticeably poorly. The Australian Democrats
Australian Democrats
The Australian Democrats is an Australian political party espousing a socially liberal ideology. It was formed in 1977, by a merger of the Australia Party and the New LM, after principals of those minor parties secured the commitment of former Liberal minister Don Chipp, as a high profile leader...
ran candidates in only two seats, a significant decrease from 2001, and barely rated at all. The Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alliance (Australia)
The Socialist Alliance was founded in 2001 as an alliance of socialist organisations and individuals in Australia, initiated by the Democratic Socialist Perspective and the International Socialist Organisation along with 6 other founding socialist organisations, to create greater left unity in the...
chose not to run any candidates for financial reasons, instead endorsing the Green and NAP candidates.
Issues
Law and order has always been a prominent issue in the Northern Territory, and the Country Liberal PartyCountry Liberal Party
The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties...
campaigned on this heavily during their 27-year unbroken stint in government. Perhaps in acknowledgment of this, the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
is also attempting to present itself as being harsh on antisocial behaviour. Mandatory sentencing
Mandatory sentencing
A mandatory sentence is a court decision setting where judicial discretion is limited by law. Typically, people convicted of certain crimes must be punished with at least a minimum number of years in prison...
is an issue in the background; there is some dispute as to its popularity in the Territory, and it is likely that a CLP government would reintroduce the policy, whereas it will almost definitely remain abolished under an ALP government.
The campaign
 |
||
| Election campaign, 2005 | ||
| Government | Opposition | |
|---|---|---|
| Party | Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Country Liberals Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
| Leader | Martin Clare Martin Clare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995... |
Burke |
| Leader since | 1999 | 1999 |
| 2PP 2001 result | 41% | 45% |
| Seats held | 13 | 10 |
| Seats needed | 0 | 3 |
While there had been a form of unofficial campaign going on for some months, due to the persistent rumors of a coming election, there had been comparatively little in the way of policy announcements or major developments. Both parties began trading accusations that the other was being overly influenced by "southerners", with the ALP noting that the CLP had hired controversial federal Liberal
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
staffer Ian Hanke and taking advantage of Burke's statements that he had had assistance from the federal Liberals in drafting his economic policies. At the same time, the CLP has been trying to link Martin's fortunes to those of less popular federal Labor leader Kim Beazley
Kim Beazley
In the October 1998 election, Labor polled a majority of the two-party vote and received the largest swing to a first-term opposition since 1934. However, due to the uneven nature of the swing, Labor came up eight seats short of making Beazley Prime Minister....
, and has suggested that she is being overly influenced by the federal party. (Where the CLP exists only in the Northern Territory, but is allied with the federal Liberals, the ALP is an entirely federal party.)
The CLP has also suffered due to a damaging row between Burke and former Shadow Minister Peter Maley
Peter Maley
Peter John Maley is a former Australian politician. He was the member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2005, first as a member of the Country Liberal Party and then as an Independent....
, culminating in Maley's expulsion from the party on 19 May 2005. While Maley had once been touted as a potential leadership contender, he was later dumped from the ministry, and soon after announced his intention to retire at the 2005 election. Maley had reportedly not told Burke of his decision to retire before telling the media, and combined with his earlier axing, this aggravated tensions between the two. When the story broke on that Maley's wife had taken out a court order against him over domestic violence issues (although this was quickly withdrawn), Burke abruptly expelled Maley from the party. Maley served out the last weeks of his term as an independent, and briefly threatened to run for re-election, before deciding to publicly endorse the ALP candidate in his seat.
With the official announcement of the election on 30 May, the campaign began in earnest. Both parties made their first major policy launch on 1 June, with the ALP announcing plans to introduce laws cracking down on habitual drunks involved in antisocial behaviour, forcing them to undergo treatment or face jail, with a special alcohol court planned to deal with these offences. In contrast, the CLP concentrated on the economy, launching its "Territory 2020" plan to encourage business growth in the Territory, which amongst other things, would involve setting up a fund to encourage innovation and providing assistance to the armoured vehicle maintenance industry (Due to its location, Darwin, the Territory's capital, is a major defence hub, and defence industries are particularly important to the city's economy).
Independent
- Peter MaleyPeter MaleyPeter John Maley is a former Australian politician. He was the member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2005, first as a member of the Country Liberal Party and then as an Independent....
MLA (GoyderElectoral division of GoyderGoyder is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and is named after George Goyder, the South Australian surveyor responsible for carrying out the first freehold surveys in the area...
) — elected as CLP
Candidates
Sitting members are in bold. Successful candidates are highlighted in the relevant colour.| Electorate | Held By | Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... Candidate |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... Candidate |
Greens Australian Greens The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which... Candidate |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arafura Electoral division of Arafura Arafura is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1983, and takes its name from the Arafura Sea, which adjoins the electorate. The electorate is predominantly rural, encompassing in western Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands, and... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Marion Scrymgour Marion Scrymgour Marion Rose Scrymgour is an Australian politician. She has been a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2001, representing the electorate of Arafura. She was the Labor Party Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from November 2007 until February 2009, and was the... |
August Stevens | George Pascoe | |
| Araluen Electoral division of Araluen Araluen is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1983, replacing the electorate of Alice Springs, which had been abolished as part of the enlargement of the Assembly... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
John Gaynor | Jodeen Carney Jodeen Carney Jodeen Terese Carney is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from September 2001 to September 2010, representing the Alice Springs-based electorate of Araluen... |
Alan Tyley | |
| Arnhem Electoral division of Arnhem The Electoral division of Arnhem is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and takes its name from Arnhem Land, the region encompassing much of the northern part of the Territory.... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Barbara McCarthy | Djuwalpi Marika | Lance Lawrence | |
| Barkly Electoral division of Barkly Barkly is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and is named after the Barkly Tableland area, which occupies much of the electorate. Barkly is a rural electorate, covering 381,729.2 km² and taking in the towns of Tennant... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Elliot McAdam Elliot McAdam Elliot McAdam is a former Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Barkly in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2008.... |
Val Dyer | Janeen Bulsey | |
| Blain Electoral division of Blain Blain is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Adair Blain, the second member for the federal Northern Territory electorate, and the only Australian sitting MP to ever become a prisoner of war... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Brendan Cabry | Terry Mills Terry Mills (politician) Terrence Kennedy Mills is the current Country Liberal Party leader and opposition leader in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 29 January 2008... |
Sue McKinnon | Duncan Dean |
| Braitling Electoral division of Braitling Braitling is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 1983, when the electorate of Alice Springs was abolished as part of an enlargement of the Assembly. Braitling is an almost entirely urban electorate, covering 31.6 km² in... |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Sue West | Michael Jones | Loraine Braham Loraine Braham Loraine Margaret Braham is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2008, representing the electorate of Braitling... |
|
| Brennan Electoral division of Brennan Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
James Burke James Burke (Australian politician) James Patrick Burke is a former an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan. James Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of his namesake , the Opposition... |
Denis Burke | Nelly Riley | |
| Casuarina Electoral division of Casuarina Casuarina is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974 and was named after the adjacent suburb of Casuarina. Casuarina is an entirely urban electorate, covering only 9.28 km² and taking in the suburbs of Brinkin, Nakara, Tiwi... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Kon Vatskalis Kon Vatskalis Konstantine "Kon" Vatskalis is an Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since September 2001, representing the Darwin-based electorate of Casuarina... |
Wendy Green | Gary Mills Scott White |
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| Daly Electoral division of Daly Daly is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 2001, and takes its name from the Daly River region which lies at the heart of the electorate. Daly covers some 161,108.65 km², encompassing the towns of Adelaide River, Acacia Hills,... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Rob Knight | Debbi Aloisi | Elke Stegemann | Dale Seaniger |
| Drysdale Electoral division of Drysdale Drysdale is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Fred Drysdale, a former member of the Legislative Council. It covers 221.67 km², encompassing outer suburban areas of both Darwin and Palmerston as well... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Chris Natt Chris Natt Christopher William "Chris" Natt is a former Australian politician and Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide Football Club.A ruckman, Natt played 216 games for Port Adelaide between 1972 and 1983... |
Stephen Dunham Stephen Dunham (politician) Stephen Dunham is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Drysdale in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2005.... |
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| Fannie Bay Electoral division of Fannie Bay Fannie Bay is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It is located in the inner northern suburbs of Darwin, with its current boundaries including the suburbs of Fannie Bay , Parap, East Point, The Narrows, The Gardens and parts of Stuart Park... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Clare Martin Clare Martin Clare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995... |
Edward Fry | Fiona Clarke | |
| Goyder Electoral division of Goyder Goyder is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and is named after George Goyder, the South Australian surveyor responsible for carrying out the first freehold surveys in the area... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Ted Warren Ted Warren (Australian politician) Edward John "Ted" Warren is a former Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2008.... |
Keith Phasey | Diana Rickard | Andrew Blackadder Mary Walshe |
| Greatorex Electoral division of Greatorex Greatorex is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1987, replacing the abolished electorate of Sadadeen, and is named after Tony Greatorex, the last President of the Legislative Council... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Fran Kilgariff | Richard Lim Richard Lim Richard Soon Huat Lim is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Greatorex in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 until his resignation in 2007.... |
David Mortimer | |
| Johnston Electoral division of Johnston Johnston is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 2001, replacing the abolished Jingili electorate, and is named after Commodore Eric Johnston, a former Administrator of the Northern Territory... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Chris Burns Chris Burns (politician) Christopher Bruce "Chris" Burns is an Australian politician. He is a Labor member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. He has held his seat of Johnston since its creation at the 2001 election on 18 August 2001. He has been a Minister since November 2002 and has held a number of portfolios... |
Ross Connolly | Kate Neely | Gary Meyerhoff Steve Saint |
| Karama Electoral division of Karama Karama is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1987, and derives its name from the suburb of the same name. It is an urban electorate, covering only 3.38 km² and taking in the Darwin suburbs of Karama and Malak... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Delia Lawrie Delia Lawrie Delia Phoebe Lawrie is an Australian politician. She is a Labor member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, having held her seat of Karama since 2001. She is currently the Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Infrastructure and Planning and Lands... |
Trevor Sellick | ||
| Katherine Electoral division of Katherine Katherine is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. The electorate was first created in 1987 and derives its name from the city of the same name. Katherine encompasses both urban and rural areas, covering an area of 417.9 km² and taking in the city of... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Sharon Hillen | Fay Miller Fay Miller Christina Fay Miller is a former Australian politician. She was the Country Liberal Party member for Katherine in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2003 to 2008.Miller was born in South Australia, moving to Katherine in 1989... |
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| Macdonnell Electoral division of MacDonnell MacDonnell is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and derives its name from the nearby MacDonnell Ranges. MacDonnell is an almost entirely rural electorate, covering 333398.61 km², and taking in the resort town of... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Alison Anderson Alison Anderson Alison Anderson is an Australian politician. She has been a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2005, representing the electorate of MacDonnell, and is a prominent indigenous activist and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Central Zone Commissioner... |
John Elferink John Elferink Johan Wessel Elferink is an Australian politician.He was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2005, representing the rural electorate of MacDonnell... |
Andrew Longmire | David Chewings Vincent Forrester |
| Millner Electoral division of Millner Millner was an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. One of the Legislative Assembly's original electorates, it was first contested at the first election in 1974. It was named after James Millner, a Doctor and early Australian explorer of the Northern... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Matthew Bonson Matthew Bonson Matthew Thomas Bonson is a former Australian politician. He was a Labor member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, representing the seat of Millner from 2001 to 2008. Prior to his election, he worked as a local solicitor... |
Paul Mossman | Rob Hoad | Rob Inder-Smith Phil Mitchell Phil Mitchell (politician) Philip Anthony "Phil" Mitchell is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Millner in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2001, when he was defeated by Matthew Bonson.... |
| Nelson Electoral division of Nelson (Northern Territory) Nelson is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and was named after Harold Nelson, the first member for the federal Northern Territory electorate... |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Lisa McKinney-Smith | Chris Lugg | Gerry Wood Gerry Wood Gerard Vincent "Gerry" Wood is an Australian politician. A former mayor of the Northern Territory shire of Litchfield, he has been an independent member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2001, representing the electorate of Nelson.... |
|
| Nhulunbuy Electoral division of Nhulunbuy Nhulunbuy is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and is named after the remote town of the same name. Nhulunbuy is a rural electorate, covering 113,600 km² and taking in the towns of Nhulunbuy, Galiwinku, Yirrkala and... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Syd Stirling Syd Stirling Sydney James "Syd" Stirling is a former Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2008.... |
Peter Manning | ||
| Nightcliff Electoral division of Nightcliff Nightcliff is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and takes its name from the suburb of the same name. Nightcliff is one of the smallest electorates in the Territory, covering only 3.37 km² and taking in the suburb... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Jane Aagaard Jane Aagaard Jane Lesley Aagaard is an Australian politician. She has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2001, representing the Darwin-based electorate of Nightcliff. She has been the Speaker of the Assembly since June 2005... |
Anthony Reiter | Ilana Eldridge | Andrew Arthur Stuart Highway |
| Port Darwin Electoral division of Port Darwin Port Darwin is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and is an entirely urban electorate, covering only 13.65 km² and taking in the Darwin central business district, as well as the suburb of Larrakeyah and part of Stuart... |
CLP Country Liberal Party The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party is a Northern Territory political party affiliated with both the National and Liberal parties... |
Kerry Sacilotto Kerry Sacilotto Kerry Denise Sacilotto is a former Australian politician. She was the Labor member for Port Darwin in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2008.... |
Sue Carter Sue Carter Susan Jill Carter is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2005, representing the central Darwin electorate of Port Darwin... |
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| Sanderson Electoral division of Sanderson Sanderson is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and derives its name from the name initially given to the area in 1879, before its division into suburbs. Sanderson is an urban electorate, covering 5.51 km² and taking in... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Len Kiely Len Kiely Leonard Francis "Len" Kiely is a former Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Sanderson in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2008.... |
Peter Styles Peter Styles Peter Donald Styles is an Australian politician. He is a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, having held his seat of Sanderson since the 2008 election. He is currently Shadow Minister for Young Territorians, Seniors, Multicultural Affairs, Racing, Gaming... |
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| Stuart Electoral division of Stuart Stuart is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. Named after explorer John McDouall Stuart, it was initially created in 1947 as one of the five inaugural electoral divisions of the Northern Territory Legislative Council... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Peter Toyne Peter Toyne Dr Peter Howard Toyne is a former Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2006, representing the rural electorate of Stuart. He served as Attorney-General under Chief Minister Clare Martin, and for some years was... |
Anna Machado | ||
| Wanguri Electoral division of Wanguri Wanguri is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1983, and deriving its name from the suburb of the same name, and replacing the abolished electorate of Leanyer. Wanguri is an urban electorate, covering 8.01 km², and taking in... |
Labor Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia... |
Paul Henderson Paul Henderson (Australian politician) Paul Raymond Henderson is an Australian politician and the current Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.Henderson was born in Croix-Chapeau, France, where his father was serving with the United States military. He was educated in Great Britain to A-Levels and studied mechanical... |
Kerrie Kyriacou |
Seats changing hands
| Seat | Pre-2005 | Swing | Post-2005 | ||||||
| Party | Member | Margin | Margin | Member | Party | ||||
| Brennan Electoral division of Brennan Brennan is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and derives its name from Harold "Tiger" Brennan, a former member of the Legislative Council and Mayor of Darwin... |
Country Liberal | Denis Burke | 19.0 | 20.8 | 1.8 | James Burke James Burke (Australian politician) James Patrick Burke is a former an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly between 2005 and 2008, representing the electorate of Brennan. James Burke is perhaps most famous for his shock defeat of his namesake , the Opposition... |
Labor | ||
| Daly Electoral division of Daly Daly is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was created in 2001, and takes its name from the Daly River region which lies at the heart of the electorate. Daly covers some 161,108.65 km², encompassing the towns of Adelaide River, Acacia Hills,... |
Country Liberal | Tim Baldwin Tim Baldwin Timothy Denny "Tim" Baldwin is a former Australian politician. He was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 2005, representing first Victoria River and then Daly .... |
9.5 | 24.4 | 14.8 | Rob Knight | Labor | ||
| Drysdale Electoral division of Drysdale Drysdale is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1997, and is named after Fred Drysdale, a former member of the Legislative Council. It covers 221.67 km², encompassing outer suburban areas of both Darwin and Palmerston as well... |
Country Liberal | Stephen Dunham Stephen Dunham (politician) Stephen Dunham is a former Australian politician. He was the Country Liberal Party member for Drysdale in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2005.... |
15.7 | 16.9 | 1.3 | Chris Natt Chris Natt Christopher William "Chris" Natt is a former Australian politician and Australian rules footballer with Port Adelaide Football Club.A ruckman, Natt played 216 games for Port Adelaide between 1972 and 1983... |
Labor | ||
| Goyder Electoral division of Goyder Goyder is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1990, and is named after George Goyder, the South Australian surveyor responsible for carrying out the first freehold surveys in the area... |
Country Liberal | Peter Maley Peter Maley Peter John Maley is a former Australian politician. He was the member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2005, first as a member of the Country Liberal Party and then as an Independent.... |
19.0 | 20.8 | 1.8 | Ted Warren Ted Warren (Australian politician) Edward John "Ted" Warren is a former Australian politician. He was the Labor member for Goyder in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2008.... |
Labor | ||
| Macdonnell Electoral division of MacDonnell MacDonnell is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and derives its name from the nearby MacDonnell Ranges. MacDonnell is an almost entirely rural electorate, covering 333398.61 km², and taking in the resort town of... |
Country Liberal | John Elferink John Elferink Johan Wessel Elferink is an Australian politician.He was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1997 to 2005, representing the rural electorate of MacDonnell... |
11.8 | 20.3 | 8.5 | Alison Anderson Alison Anderson Alison Anderson is an Australian politician. She has been a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 2005, representing the electorate of MacDonnell, and is a prominent indigenous activist and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Central Zone Commissioner... |
Labor | ||
| Port Darwin Electoral division of Port Darwin Port Darwin is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and is an entirely urban electorate, covering only 13.65 km² and taking in the Darwin central business district, as well as the suburb of Larrakeyah and part of Stuart... |
Country Liberal | Sue Carter Sue Carter Susan Jill Carter is an Australian politician. She was a Country Liberal Party member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2005, representing the central Darwin electorate of Port Darwin... |
19.0 | 20.8 | 1.8 | Kerry Sacilotto Kerry Sacilotto Kerry Denise Sacilotto is a former Australian politician. She was the Labor member for Port Darwin in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2008.... |
Labor | ||
- Members in italics did not contest their seats at this election.
Party leaders
- Clare MartinClare MartinClare Majella Martin is a former Australian politician. She is the current CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service . A former journalist, she was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in a shock by-election win in 1995...
has been an MLA since 1995, leader of the Northern Territory ALP since 1997, and Chief MinisterChief Minister of the Northern TerritoryThe Chief Minister of the Northern Territory is appointed by the Administrator, who in normal circumstances will appoint the head of whatever party holds the majority of seats in the legislature of the territory...
since 2001. A former journalist, she had overseen the ALP's first election victory in the history of the Territory in 2001. Martin had gained a reputation for being an effective communicator and economic manager, having also served a stint as treasurer. She campaigned largely on issues of law and order, and took some flak from her own party faithful for her policies, but would likely feel vindicated by the election result. - Denis Burke had been an MLA since 1994 and had served as Chief Minister from 1999 to 2001. He had continued as Opposition Leader after being defeated by Martin, but was dumped in favour of Terry MillsTerry MillsTerry Richard Mills is a retired American professional basketball player at the power forward position.After a standout career at Romulus High School, Mills was named 1986 Mr. Basketball of Michigan...
in mid-2003, only to regain the leadership in February 2005 after Mills' sudden resignation. The former army officer is a strong social conservative, but had specifically emphasised law and order issues throughout his career, culminating in his controversial maintenance of the CLP's mandatory detention policy during his time as Chief Minister. His campaign was marred by several gaffes and a bold plan to solve the territory's electricity problems which was badly sold to the electorate and was not well-received. He had already stated his intention to step down if the CLP lost the election before ultimately losing his own seat. - Ilana Eldridge has been the leader of the Northern Territory GreensNorthern Territory GreensNorthern Territory Greens is a Green Party located in the Northern Territory, a member of the federation of the Australian Greens party.Ilana Eldridge has been the lead candidate for the Greens since 1990. She has run for the Senate in 1990 and 1996 and the Australian House of Representatives in...
since their formation in the early 1990s. She has never held elected office, but has developed some profile from unsuccessful campaigns for the SenateAustralian SenateThe Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
in 1990 and 1996 and the Australian House of RepresentativesAustralian House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
in 1998 and 2004. While again failing to win the seat of NightcliffElectoral division of NightcliffNightcliff is an electoral division of the Legislative Assembly in Australia's Northern Territory. It was first created in 1974, and takes its name from the suburb of the same name. Nightcliff is one of the smallest electorates in the Territory, covering only 3.37 km² and taking in the suburb...
, she oversaw the only major third party campaign in the election, with the Greens substantially increasing both their number of candidates and their overall vote.
Electoral sites
- ABC's coverage of the Northern Territory election
- Antony Green's election summary
- The Mackerras Pendulum (PDF document)
- Northern Territory Electoral Commission website
- Complete list of candidates in the election