Burke in trouble as Labor storms to victory in NT

Political commentators are predicting a landslide victory for Labor in the 2005 Northern Territory election.

Three hours after the close of the polls 45.3 per cent of the vote has been counted with a swing of 14.2 per cent towards Labor.

In what is shaping as a crushing defeat, a swing of 9.8 per cent has gone against the Country Liberal Party (CLP).

It also looks as though CLP leader Denis Burke could lose his own seat of Brennan to his Labor namesake James Burke.

The Greens have picked up 3.4 per cent of the vote.

Country Liberal Party supporters are crowding around a small television at CLP headquarters waiting for results.

About 50 people are sitting close together huddled around a live telecast for the election.

There are many supporters wearing bright CLP t-shirts.

The CLP candidate for Johnston Ross Connolly says the swing to Labor is worrying.

"That obviously has to be disappointing but then we gave it the best shot we could," he said.

CLP leader Denis Burke is expected to arrive soon.

The question mark leading into the election was if Labor would suffer a voter backlash for its tough stance on law and order.

Labor's policy on anti-social behaviour states habitual drunks will be forced into treatment or face jail.

With Indigenous incarceration the highest its even been under Labor, concerns were raised harsher legislation will lead to more Aboriginal people being jailed.

The Greens slammed the policy suggesting it could result in more deaths in custody.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Sat, 18 Jun 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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