NT News editorial: Labor and Michael Gunner in prime electoral position during pandemic

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner and Territory Labor are in their strongest position yet to be re-elected in August — but there’s a long way to go.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner detailing the NT's nation-leading coronavirus restriction exit plan. Picture CHE CHORLEY

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner and Territory Labor are in their strongest position yet to be re-elected in August — but there’s a long way to go.

It was only nine weeks ago when this newspaper called for Mr Gunner to stand down as leader of the Labor Party following a disastrous result in the Johnston by-election.

At the time, if the swing in Johnston was mirrored in the general election, Labor were set to be wiped out to as few as three or four seats.

But, in a sign of how quickly things change in politics, the mood suggests it is now increasingly unlikely Territorians will vote Labor out of office in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic.

This newspaper has been highly critical of Mr Gunner’s leadership during his chief ministership since he was elected back in 2016.

But it’s not until this coronavirus pandemic that we have seen the real Michael Gunner stand up.

Too often, in his early days as chief minister, Mr Gunner was controlled by his closest allies - none more so than his now ousted chief-of-staff, Alf Leonardi.

Several times we called for Mr Gunner to break free from the shackles and lead and do the job he was elected to do.

During the past few weeks, we have seen Mr Gunner take the bull by the horns and do his job as he should have always been doing.

After Tasmania, he was the second state or territory leader to close the borders and we are now the safest place in Australia.

Mr Gunner has also showed compassion with the situation of thousands of who have lost their jobs and he has come across as genuine and authentic.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has been impressive during the COVID-19 pandemic

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Labor was in deep trouble.

This was reflected in the Johnston by-election result which Labor’s Joel Bowden still won, despite the 21 per cent primary vote swing against Labor.

The main criticisms of Labor, prior to the pandemic, were three fold.

One: they didn’t like Michael Gunner. Two: the economy. Three: youth crime.

Right now, those three elements seem to have largely disappeared from punters’ radars but there are still plenty who won’t forget.

When it comes to polling day on August 22, voters will be faced with a choice.

Back Labor or sack them.

If they choose to sack them, their alternatives are the CLP or Territory Alliance.

The CLP will enter the election with one sitting member of Parliament, their leader Lia Fincocchiaro.

CLP Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro

Territory Alliance will enter the election with three sitting members of Parliament; leader Terry Mills, Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley and Fong Lim MLA Jeff Collins.

The Johnston by-election result proved the CLP still has an enormous amount of work to do to get the electorate back on side after the disastrous 2012-2016 reign which saw them slashed from 16 seats down to two.

It showed Territory Alliance was in the middle of a honeymoon period but, since then, they have tried to claw Opposition away from the CLP and failed.

The move to take away Opposition and prop up their own resources was thrown back in their face when a vote on the floor of Parliament meant the CLP remained the Opposition.

It was an embarrassing result and major setback for Mr Mills’ party, of which many Territorians believe are simply a party of motherhood statements with no real plan to manage the Territory into the future.

Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills

Many believe that Mr Mills is trying to become chief minister again to settle old scores from when he was ousted from office in 2013, just seven months into his chief ministership.

The difficulty the CLP has right now is getting any form of cut through between now and August.

The clock is ticking quickly and with so many people focused on getting to the other side of the pandemic, Territory politics and policies are the furthest things on their minds.

The CLP has picked up some quality candidates — such as Tracey Hayes, Steve Edgington and Damien Ryan — but whether it’s enough for them to steal government from Labor remains to be seen.

August 22 is fast approaching and time is the enemy for the CLP and Territory Alliance.

Labor party heavyweights are as confident as they can be just a little over three months out but — as we’ve seen in recent weeks — 109 days is a bloody long time in politics.