Dale Wakefield faces serious threat of losing seat to CLP

LABOR incumbent Dale Wakefield is facing a serious threat of losing her seat of Braitling

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TERRITORY Families Minister Dale Wakefield is in serious danger of losing her seat of Braitling to CLP candidate and political newcomer Joshua Burgoyne.

Late last night, Mr Burgoyne was ahead in both primary and two candidate preferred votes giving him a chance to oust the only Central Australian minister from her seat, despite suggestions Labor would win a majority government.

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Ms Wakefield spent last night at home with her family and told the NT News she was happy with the support she had received.

“Braitling is still too early to call right now but I want to thank all my volunteers who have supported me as we wait for the final result,” she said.

Member for Braitling Dale Wakefield talks to media in Alice Springs. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

At the CLP party, Mr Burgoyne was emotional as he confidently claimed an early win.

“Three years we’ve been plugging away at this and to be where we are tonight is just an incredible feeling,”’ he said.

“We knew it was going to be tight, we knew it was going to be a hard fight. And at the end of the day to get the win ... this means so much, and so much to our family.”

CLP candidate for Braitling Joshua Burgoyne. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

CLP candidate for Araluen Damien Ryan said he was “feeling sensational” towards the end of last night.

Mr Ryan, the former mayor of Alice Springs, described election night as “crazy”, as he sat only 13 votes behind Territory Alliance candidate Robyn Lambley in the two candidate preferred (TCP) vote.

Incumbent Ms Lambley said it was “early days” for Territory Alliance as a new party.

She said in a live cross on ABC that perhaps the party “didn’t give ourselves enough time”.

“It started in September, that really isn’t enough time to win seats to form government let alone opposition.

“I think COVID worked against us. We couldn’t get out onto the doorsteps and explain who we were adequately.

“It’s not a lack of policy or vision I think it’s just selling something different.

CLP candidate for Araluen Damien Ryan. Picture: EMMA MURRAY

“Territorians, like a lot of Australians are ironed onto the two-party system, Labor or Liberal.”

Labor’s Namatjira MLA Chansey Paech felt privileged to win the seat of Gwoja and share celebrations with constituents who had travelled hundreds of kilometres to Alice Springs to celebrate.

“I feel humbled and incredibly proud of Labor’s grassroots work. I’m happy with the family and friends who have supported me,” he said.

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“Voter turnout has been low and we recognise we need to do better in the bush and get more remote Territorians engaged in democracy.”

CLP candidate for Namatjira Bill Yan holds the lead in first preference votes on primary votes but was narrowly behind Labor’s Sheralee Taylor on TCP.

TWO CANDIDATE PREFERRED VOTING NUMBERS Across Central Australia

ARALUEN

Robyn Lambley (TA) 1821

Damien RYAN (CLP) 1808

BRAITLING

Joshua Burgoyne (CLP) 1958

Dale Wakefield (ALP) 1857

NAMATJIRA

Sheralee Taylor (ALP) 1480

Bill Yan (CLP) 1450

GWOJA

Chansey Paech (ALP) 1440

Phillip Alice (CLP) 664

BARKLY

Sid Vashist (ALP) 1441

Steve Edgington (CLP) 1338