Territory Alliance favours Labor over CLP due to fracking stance

TERRITORY Alliance has dealt the CLP a blow with an eleventh-hour change to its preferences in a key seat

TERRITORY Alliance has dealt the CLP a blow with an eleventh-hour change to its preferences in the key seat of Port Darwin.

Just three days after Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills told the media his party would put Labor last in every seat except Drysdale and Braitling, it has now confirmed it will put the ALP ahead of the CLP in Port Darwin.

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Territory Alliance said the move was because of candidate Gary Strachan’s opposition to fracking.

Territory Alliance candidate for Port Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

But the CLP says it’s evidence of another backflip from a party that can’t be trusted.

“Hopefully this latest event will have convinced the people of Port Darwin that trying to run with a party like Terry Mills’s Alliance … you don’t know what you’re up for,” CLP candidate Toby George said.

CLP candidate for Port Darwin Toby George. Picture: Che Chorley

“One day they will say one thing and the next day they will say the other.”

A Territory Alliance spokeswoman confirmed the change had been made yesterday.

“Gary was keen to ensure he shows a strength in regard to banning fracking,” she said.

“He has provided second preference to the Greens candidate Tim Parish, third to Independent Leah Potter, fourth to the ALP’s Paul Kirby and fifth to the CLP’s Toby George.”

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Mr George said the CLP’s suspicions were raised when they set up at the early voting centre yesterday morning and there were no Territory Alliance how-to-vote cards.

He said Mr Strachan had told him three times he would be putting Labor last, but later said the decision had been taken out of his hands.

“He looked me in the eye, shook my hand and said ‘Anyone but Labor’,” he said.