No deal for CLP in Johnston by-election

THE Country Liberal Party has ruled out making a preference deal in the Johnston by-election after being snubbed by Territory Alliance in their how-to-vote cards

The CLP's candidate for Johnston, Josh Thomas. The CLP will not be making any preference deals for his how-to-vote cards. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

THE Country Liberal Party has ruled out making a preference deal in the Johnston by-election after being snubbed by Territory Alliance in their how-to-vote cards.

CLP president Ron Kelly told the NT News they had approached Territory Alliance about preferences but were given a nasty shock yesterday when Steven Klose unveiled his how-to-vote cards which ranks CLP candidate Josh Thomas second last.

Mr Kelly said Territory Alliance were “unprincipled vote grabbers” for making a preference deal with the NT Greens party.

“Those conservatives and key industries who were thinking of supporting Terry Mills must be wondering what parts of the Territory economy has he sold out to gain these preferences,” he said.

“If you do a deal with the devil like Terry Mills has done with the Greens then every conservative thinker should rightly question why they would vote for him and why they vote for a party that aligns itself with a far left organisation prepared to sell out everyday Territorians for an ideology designed to make their life worse not better.”

Mr Klose defended his choices and said people were feeling betrayed and let down by the major parties.

Mr Kelly said the CLP would not be doing a preference deal with anyone for their candidate’s how-to-vote cards.

“By putting Josh Thomas from the CLP first, voters know that they are choosing a candidate from a political party not prepared to compromise its principles for a few preferences,” he said.

“Territory Alliance will say and do anything to win and that is not leadership.”

Labor’s Environment Minister Eva Lawler has also lashed out at the Greens for preferencing Labor last on their how-to-vote cards.

“A vote for the Greens in Johnston will deliver dirty and dangerous fracking under the CLP,” she said.

“The Greens love to lecture others but this proves they are happy to ditch their principles.”

A spokesman from the Greens said the decision was punishment for Labor’s decision to lift the moratorium on onshore gas fracking.