CLP and Territory Alliance coalition possible in order to oust NT Labor from government at August poll

THE NT could have a CLP and Territory Alliance coalition government if neither party wins a clear majority at the August election, with both confirming they are open to the idea.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills

THE Northern Territory could have a CLP and Territory Alliance coalition government if neither party wins a clear majority at the August election, with both confirming they are open to the idea.

A hundred days out from polling day, CLP president Ron Kelly and Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills appear to have set aside, for now, recent bad blood from the Johnston by-election and the tussle for opposition status, agreeing a Labor Government after August was “untenable”.

MORE STORIES

Barkly MLA Gerry McCarthy in shock decision to retire at 2020 NT election

Treasurer Nicole Manison flags tough budget to help ease NT’s battered finances

Both parties are firm on their intent to win majority government by themselves and are not heading into the election with a coalition in mind – but did not rule out the option should an alliance be needed to unseat Labor from government

Territory Alliance Leader Terry Mills. Picture: Glenn Campbell

.

NT Labor’s 18 out of 25 seat majority at the start of the term has been reduced to 16, the CLP have two MLAs and the Territory Alliance three. The four other MLAs, including speaker Kezia Purick, are independents.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner, assuming the trend of crisis favouring government applies, will go into the 2020 election more popular than before.

“I assume that the CLP also recognises that a future beyond August 2020 with Labor at the helm is untenable,” Mr Mills said. “We are not entering this contest with a collation in mind but we always remain open to dialogue about the future of the NT.”

CLP President Ron Kelly. Picture Glenn Campbell

Mr Kelly said the CLP was open to working with “all non-Labor parties, like-minded parties, or individuals”.

But neither party has been in formal discussions about a coalition, though Mr Mills said the olive branch for the party he used to lead remained extended.

Their policy platforms differ and Mr Mills was clear he created the fledgling party due to a “vacuum” of leadership within both the CLP and Labor.

LAST CHANCE: Final days of $1 for 28 days offer

Asked if the shared history between Mr Mills and the CLP would come in the way, he said “the door remained open for a mature discussion”.

“There’s something more important here, and that’s the future of the Territory,” he said.