Record number of NT voters turning to independents, Greens amid Labor’s historic loss

Saturday’s election brought an orange tsunami and a green ripple, as Territorians seemed to turn anywhere but red. Here’s why the NT Greens are ‘beyond proud’ despite a likely loss in their best hope seat.

Labor has suffered its worst defeat since the NT first gained self government 50 years ago – the CLP’s dominance coupled with a record green swing as voters seemed to turn anywhere but towards the government at this year’s election.

The NT is the only jurisdiction yet to elect a Greens member, and while final results are still being confirmed, that seems unlikely to change despite a close race in the seat of Fannie Bay.

While the Greens still struggle to break through, the party’s influence in the NT has slowly grown – this year outperforming Labor on first preferences in Araluen, Braitling and Fannie Bay.

Independents running on a progressive environmental platform also trumped the major party in two seats; Sam Phelan receiving twice as many votes as Labor in Katherine, and Justine Davis looking to win Johnston in a 19.6 per cent swing away from former frontbencher Joel Bowden.

Out of 16 seats where voters were given an option to vote outside the two party contest, Labor has so far ranked third or worse on the ballot paper in half of them.

Independent Justine Davis (centre) won a former Labor stronghold with a progressive environmental campaign.

Ms Davis said there was a “clear story” in this election that says people are looking for something different.

“I heard over and over again that people are fed up with both major parties offering the same tired solutions that we know don’t work,” she said.

“Whether it’s about community safety or the environment, people told me they don’t trust either party to make smart decisions.”

Going into the election the inner Darwin seat of Fannie Bay was expected to be a contest between former Police Minister Brent Potter and the Greens’ Suki Dorras-Walker.

But with most votes counted, the seat looks to be won by the CLP’s Laurie Zio thanks to strong preferences flowing from Labor after Mr Potter came third.

Suki Dorras-Walker (centre) said Labor had a ‘lot to learn’ from its loss. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Dorras-Walker said she was “beyond proud” of the Greens’ campaign, regardless of the final result.

“Labor has a lot to learn here,” she said.

“They failed us on environment, they failed us on integrity, they failed to listen to the evidence about what would work for community safety … they failed to provide any progressive alternative for the Territory and it cost them massively.

“The CLP should not interpret this as a mandate for their regressive policies in Fannie Bay,

Nightcliff, Braitling, Johnston or in many other places across the Territory where there was

no other option.

“Many, many people have put their faith in us and other progressive campaigns.”

Alice Springs also saw a strong swing away from Labor to both the left and the right.

Labor candidate Allison Bitar currently sits on a damning 11 per cent of primary votes in Braitling, while Greens candidate Asta Hill received 38 per cent, and incumbent CLP member Josh Burgoyne 51 per cent.

Labor has so far won just 12.8 per cent of first preferences in Araluen, and 24.1 per cent in Namatjira.

Ms Hill said the Greens’ movement was “just getting started” and she was excited to continue the word of their campaign.