By Andrew Brown in Canberra
Labor’s wipeout in the NT election has led to questions about what it means for the federal government’s chances at the next national poll.
A swing of more than 10 per cent to the Country Liberal Party pushed NT Labor from government in Saturday’s election after two terms in office.
Labor has been reduced to four seats in the territory’s 25-seat parliament, prompting concerns about the national party’s prospects in the election expected to be held by May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there are lessons to be learned from the NT poll.
“We, of course, will have a look at any implications, which are there, but we will work constructively with the new Northern Territory government,” he told ABC Radio on Monday.
However, the prime minister said the NT campaign was dominated by local issues.
“You have law and order issues, which are the responsibility, of course, of the territory,” he said.
“They were front and centre of the election campaign.
“You had another factor that if you have three chief ministers in two years, which is what occurred, then you have that sort of disruption as well.
“That’s hardly conducive to saying that you’re a stable government.”
Outgoing chief minister Eva Lawler lost her own seat of Drysdale.
Federal Labor holds both of the NT’s lower house electorates.
The Darwin-based seat of Solomon is held by Luke Gosling on a margin of 9.3 per cent.
Lingiari is held by Marion Scrymgour on a slim margin of 0.9 per cent, after the Country Liberals earned a more than four per cent swing at the 2022 federal election.
The federal election is due to be held by May 17 at the latest, although the government can call a poll at any time.
Voters are also heading to the ballot box in the ACT, Queensland and Western Australia before the May deadline.
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