Poll by Freshwater Strategy for Australian Energy Producers NT shows CLP ahead 54-46
The Country Liberal Party holds a strong lead ahead of August’s Northern Territory election, a new poll reveals – but Labor has crawled back significant ground under Eva Lawler. Find out more.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Country Liberal Party holds a strong lead ahead of August’s Northern Territory election, a new poll reveals.
But Labor has clawed back significant ground under the leadership of new Chief Minister Eva Lawler.
The poll by Freshwater Strategy on behalf of Australian Energy Producers NT shows the CLP is ahead 54-46 on a two-party preferred basis.
The survey of 1000 voters, with a margin of error of 3 per cent, shows more than a quarter of voters are still undecided ahead of the election on August 24.
Just 17 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Labor when first asked, 33 per cent said they would vote for the CLP, 17 per cent Independent and seven per cent would vote for the Greens.
When pushed, Labor’s primary vote improved to 29 per cent, behind the CLP on 39 per cent, an Independent on 22 per cent and the Greens on nine per cent.
This translated to the 54-46 lead for the CLP once preferences were distributed.
While the numbers look grim for Labor, they mark a significant improvement since Eva Lawler took over as Chief Minister in December last year, when a similar poll had Labor behind 58-42.
Labor’s squeezed primary vote over the same period has improved eight points from 21 per cent to 29 per cent.
Ms Lawler has taken a tougher approach to crime and anti-social behaviour this year, announcing a youth curfew for Alice Springs following riots in March, and promising to hire an extra 200 police officers.
She has also offered unconditional support to the resources industry, declaring herself the “number one supporter” of the oil and gas industry.
The poll shows 47 per cent of respondents identified crime as the biggest issue ahead of the election.
This was well ahead of cost of living (25 per cent), jobs and the economy (seven per cent), and the environment (six per cent).
For voters from Alice Springs, 73 per cent identified crime as their top priority.
The poll shows the CLP’s two-party preferred vote has improved by seven points since the 2020 election, when Labor held government with 14 of the NT Parliament’s 25 seats.
This would likely translate to a majority government for the CLP if it is replicated at the election.
But Labor insiders have been buoyed by the party’s improved fortunes since Ms Lawler replaced Natasha Fyles as Chief Minister just before Christmas.
They believe Ms Lawler’s no-nonsense approach to governing is beginning to cut through with voters.
The CLP, meanwhile, is hoping Labor’s poor record on crime and the economy over almost eight years will see voters change the government in August.
On Wednesday Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro announced a new housing scheme, offering $50,000 grants to anyone building their first new home in the Northern Territory.
The CLP will also give $30,000 to existing homeowners who build a new property as they try to reverse net interstate migration, which has been falling since 2014.
Matt Cunningham is the Sky News Northern Australia Correspondent
Uncle arrested in alleged domestic violence killing
The Top End community is reeling from the second suspected domestic homicide in just a week, as the major crime unit continues to investigate an alleged stabbing in a Malak backyard.
Crims could get up to 10 years jail for new NT ram raid offence
A Darwin supermarket has welcomed new laws after the store was allegedly targeted in a ram raid, which caused thousands of dollars worth of damage. WATCH THE VIDEO.