Comments on: Northern Territory election live

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:55:11 +0000

I heard Ken Parish, former NT ALP MLA for Millner, on ABC Radio over the weekend, suggesting complacency and arrogance as the major reasons for the big anti-Labor swing.

I would be very interested to see (but, sadly, never will) any exit polling, and any polling that reflects the views of those who didn’t vote.

Once final results are in, and we see both the final number of absent and postal votes and the failed-to-vote numbers in the seats that change hands, we might be judging that those who failed to vote had the biggest impact on numbers in the Assembly.

By: Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:35:17 +0000

My advices is that the CLP expect to win Fannie Bay but don’t know what they are basing that on.

Had some discussions today about CLP leadership and Carney seems to generate some distinct reactions. You either like her or hate her. Apparently she can have a bit of a nasty streak. Tollner is a bit the same – some like him some view him with contempt. Anyway you would have to be a fool to get rid of Mills given this result.

For the ALP Chris Burns is quite a nice guy and maybe too laid back and easy going to take the job, but would be more engaging. Some made the comment that you had to be Greek to get to see Vatskalis or get anything out of him.

If it is a minority government then I guess Woods would have to front up and be a minister – (DPI) Lands & PLanning?

By: Gary Bruce

Gary Bruce — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:06:53 +0000

Some journalists trying to link this election with Rudd in one way or another. Keep trying.

By: the judge

the judge — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:47:56 +0000

Hi Boerwar,

Wasn’t that an entertaining election, and still giving.

Perhaps lifting the vale of secrecy and corruption surrounding donations to the LIB/LAB Party would be a good start in negotiations.

Follow the money.

http://www.democracy4sale.org/

By: the cleaner

the cleaner — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:28:27 +0000

ALP insiders ‘quietly’confident of holding Fannie Bay and surprisingly upbeat about Fong Lim because of the large numbers(>5-600) of absentee votes from ALP friendly areas to be counted after lunch today.

By: Boerwar

Boerwar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:58:31 +0000

Hmm, looks like labour and/or CLP should have tried a bit harder to cut a deal for those green prefs? Do we know whether they had a package on the table that was negotiable?

By: Progressive

Progressive — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:03:23 +0000

G’day Glen, welcome back!
Yes, finally something for you to celebrate!

By: dartboard

dartboard — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:00:26 +0000

With regard to the CLP leadership…

I would suggest that with Dave Tollner just ahead in Fong Lim and Gary Lambert needing after the day counting to win, neither has the type of mandate that would show that their personal appeal would extend to gaining the leadership.

Both will be grateful to be in parliament let alone being the leader.

I would be more interested in the thoughts of Jodeen Carney who could probably be assured of a block of 4 votes (out of 11) in any internal wrangling.

On the ALP leadership… Chris Burns may have been a pointer to likely candidates with his direct criticism yesterday of Hendo and the results of the election campaign.

By: steve

steve — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:10:04 +0000

Oh Dear, the Curious Snail has been supping on the entrails of the NT election to the point of believing there own propaganda about an early Queensland election. This despite being told many times over the past week that the election will be held at the end of next year.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24157437-952,00.html

By: Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:55:27 +0000

However the CLP will likely shoot itself in the foot after this. A few weeks before the election a few of the 4 only CLP MPs revealed they would probably challenge for the leadership after the election.
Assuming that this isn’t a CLP minority govt with Woods.

I believe that it is the face of Terry Mills people want to see front the CLP leadership, it is certainly what it needs. Can the ego’s of the others be controlled? We have Tollner and Elfrink back who would be considered more senior given both were in a government at one stage or other ( and we already saw Tollner talking over the top of Mills on camera before the election and, he wasn’t even elected).

Tollner will have to contain his tendency to boofheadery and retract his standing on Workchoices. And will he try for the Federal seat again?

It will only take some ego competitions within the CLP to ruin some of their gains.

Henderson may have to go at some stage but, who to replace him? Kon Vatskalis was dropped from a ministry some time ago but was a more likable and personable person but, will be seen as too weak to be leader. Delia Lawry probably the most strong candidate to replace him – but does have an arrogance issue and, I know of one case where she treated a ‘non-commissioned’ worker with very little respect.

She may be the smartest one of the bunch and a good performer in her portfolios so far. Handled estimates committee fronting for both Treasury and Lands very well.

The ALP will need to find some decent candidates if they want to win the next election and of course they need some sort of profile. They may try to lure Michael Long and or Charlie King into politics. Both would win just about any seat hands down.