Former Minister Dale Wakefield concedes defeat in seat of Braitling to CLP

FORMER Territory Families Minister and Braitling MLA Dale Wakefield has lost the hotly contested seat to the new Baby of the House, the CLP’s Joshua Burgoyne

Former member for Braitling Dale Wakefield in Alice Springs. Picture: Emma Murray

• Strong candidates create divide in Central Australia
• Labor candidate credits competitiveness to a focus on bush campaigning
• CLP’s Joshua Burgoyne crowned youngest parliamentarian in the NT
• Independent candidate for Braitling reveals ambitions for council

FORMER Territory Families Minister and Braitling MLA Dale Wakefield has lost the hotly contested seat to the new Baby of the House, the CLP’s Joshua Burgoyne.

Ms Wakefield lost to CLP candidate Joshua Burgoyne by 29 two-candidate preferred votes.

Posting on Facebook on Wednesday morning, Ms Wakefield said the role had been the “greatest privilege” of her life.

She was elected in 2016 after defeating then Chief Minister Adam Giles.

“It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the people of Braitling, Alice Springs and the Territory for the past four years,” Ms Wakefield said.

“To all my volunteers, supporters, colleagues, staff, family and friends who have put in the hard yards – I want to say the biggest thank you.

“I love this town. Alice Springs is my home and where I have chosen to raise my family.

“Whilst I will no longer be your Member for Braitling, in whatever capacity and whatever my next adventure is, I will always be championing Alice Springs.”

The post is attracting positive comments from supporters.

Adam Drake wrote: “You have done an amazing job, and I am so thankful to you for all the awesome work you have done. Keep making a difference because you are an absolute powerhouse.”

Cheif Minister Michael Gunner flanked by new labor candidates Jackson Ankers (candidate for Araluen) and Sheralee Taylor (candidate for Namatjira), former Member for Braitling Dale Wakefield, and Member for Namatjira Chansey Paech. Photo: EMMA MURRAY

MORE NEWS

Witnesses sought in balloon company’s appeal of charges after 2013 death of tourist

Born in Melbourne, Ms Wakefield said in an earlier post moving to Alice Springs in 2005 was “one of the best decisions I ever made”.

“I packed all my possessions in my car, left the bright lights of Melbourne in search of adventure in the heart of Australia,” she wrote.

“I immediately fell in love with the town. I intended to stay for two years and here we are 15 years on. I met my partner Gary in Alice Springs and my son was born here. We can’t imagine raising our son anywhere else.

“I believe that together we have what it takes to make Alice Springs a more wonderful, safe, and prosperous town to live in and raise our families.

“Thanks for giving me the honour of being the Member for Braitling for the past four years.”

The seats of Araluen and Namatjira are yet to be decided, but currently Territory Alliance’s Robyn Lambley is ahead of CLP’s Damien Ryan by 21 votes and Labor’s Sheralee Taylor leads in Namatjira ahead of CLP’s Bill Yan by 16 votes.

Follow @jasmineaburke