Bookies Sportsbet tipping Labor to win Territory election

The odds are in favour of Territory Labor forming minority government at the August election according to bookies. It comes as the NT’s three political parties engage in high-level discussions to determine who they will preference on how-to-vote cards

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner … the bookies are tipping Territory Labor to win the upcoming NT election. Picture: Che Chorley

THE odds are in favour of Territory Labor forming minority government at the August election according to bookies.

The prediction by major bookmaker Sportsbet comes as the NT’s three political parties engage in high-level discussions to determine who they will preference on how-to-vote cards, with just nine days to go until early voting opens.

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Territory Alliance leader Terry Mills confirmed on Friday that his party was in discussions with both the CLP and Labor about preferences, though the fledgling party’s end goal is to tip the incumbents out of office.

The NT News understands Territory Alliance is likely to give candidates the freedom to decide preferences on what is best suited to their seat, while the CLP is facing internal pressure from the wider Liberal Party not to repeat what it did at the Johnston by-election and preference Labor above Territory Alliance.

“There are conversations, as you would expect, between all major players and those conversations are continuing in good faith,” Mr Mills said.

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Terry Mills, Michael Gunner, Lia Finocchiaro

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“Labor has to go (so it) wouldn’t be too hard to work out what we’d be thinking when we’re considering preference arrangements.”

Decisions will have to be made before how-to-vote cards can hit the printer and be ready in time for early voting booths, which are scheduled to open on August 10.

Nominations for seats close at noon on Thursday, with Labor yet to announce candid­ates for Goyder or Nelson.

The chances of a Territory Alliance minority government remain higher than a CLP minority government, with odds at $3.25 and $4 respectively.

And the odds for Territ­ory Alliance have slipped, with the CLP firming from $4.50 to $4 and Territory Alliance odds easing from $2.80 to $3.25.

“Polls predict a closer contest­ than what the punters think,’’ said Sportsbet’s Rich Hummerston. “It is likely to be a Labor majority or minority, but punters see it as a majority being more likely.’’

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