Counting begins in NT election

Polls have closed in the historic 2005 Northern Territory election.

After 18 days of campaigning voters went to the polls today in what has shaped as a heavyweight title fight between the leaders of the two major parties.

It is the first time Labor, headed by Clare Martin, has gone to an election in power, since self-government in 1978.

After 26 years of ruling, the CLP lost the 2001 election under the leadership of Denis Burke.

Mr Burke was then sacked in 2003, only to be reinstated as Opposition leader earlier this year.

Both parties have flagged law and order and tough new policies on anti-social behaviour as the number one priority.

Labor wants habitual drunks forced into treatment or be jailed.

The CLP has a zero-tolerance approach to drunkenness and itinerancy.

Labor has also indicated it will raise the homebuyers' rebate while the Opposition has pledged to connect the Territory to the national electricity grid at a cost of more than $1 billion.

Mr Burke claims the move will drop the cost of electricity for householders and attract more industry to the Territory.

But Labor has ridiculed the plan, saying it is not financially viable and likely to add $170 million to Territory power bills annually.

The Greens have also given voters an alternative, fielding a record 11 candidates.

A total of 80 candidates are vying for the Territory's 25 Legislative Assembly seats.

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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