Territory Alliance expecting ‘dirty’ Labor campaign after Gunner attack

TERRITORY Alliance leader Terry Mills says he expects Chief Minister Michael Gunner to sanction a dirty Labor election campaign to be run against himself and the party after being the target of a stinging attack from the Chief Minister.

Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills says he expects Chief Minister Michael Gunner to sanction a dirty Labor election campaign to be run against himself and the party after being the target of a stinging attack from the Chief Minister yesterday. Picture: Che Chorley

• Territory election on a knife’s edge, shock polling shows
• Gunner likely to win Fannie Bay with massive lead over rival
• Matt Cunningham opinion: NT election shaping up to be a three-horse race
• NT News Editorial: Poll shows election is anyone’s to win

TERRITORY Alliance leader Terry Mills says he expects Chief Minister Michael Gunner to sanction a dirty Labor election campaign to be run against himself and the party after being the target of a stinging attack from the Chief Minister yesterday.

Mr Mills said the Chief Minister’s response to independent polling obtained by the NT News, pointing towards the Gunner Government struggling to hold on to its majority, was an indicator of the ugly campaign attacks to come.

The poll by MediaReach, the same company that predicted the 2016 NT election wipe-out of the CLP, predicts a hung parliament is the most likely outcome of the looming August 22 election.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture: Che Chorley

In his attack on Mr Mills, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Territorians had seen the Terry show before “and we don’t need the sequel”.

“Terry’s Alliance will mean more job cuts and higher power prices, just like last time,” he said.

“I’m focused on dealing with the coronavirus and protecting jobs, not polls.

“I’ve been pretty disappointed with Terry’s behaviour over the past few months. While everyone else has been working their arses off, he’s been playing politics 24/7.

“This is a bloke who tried to take over opposition in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, and I think that says everything.”

MORE TOP STORIES

NT to receive an extra $10m in GST thanks to Medicare updates

Sex work now allowed in NT suburbs

‘Public servants safe with us’, CLP declares in newly released policy

Mr Mills said not only was he expecting the Chief Minister and the Labor Party to play the man in the election campaign, so too were the former Labor Party members, who have joined the Territory Alliance Party.

“When the Labor Party fears someone they make their campaigns ugly, dirty and personal,” Mr Mills said.

“Labor fears Territory Alliance because it has lost long- term members and a good many of its voters to the Alliance Party. The Johnston by- election is proof of that.

“August 22 is the poll that matters most and we’ve pledged a positive campaign. We will not bend to Labor’s low behaviour. Territorians want better.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro agreed with both the Chief Minister and Mr Mills that the only poll that mattered was the one on election day.

“The only poll that counts is on election day and we will continue to work hard to show Territorians that we are the team to rebuild the Territory,” she said.

NEW OFFER: Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription

“Getting rid of the Gunner Labor Government has always been our focus, because Territorians deserve better.

“The Country Liberal Party is working hard fighting for jobs, safety and opportunity for all Territorians.”