[CDU eNews] - NORTH - SOUTH DIVIDE EMERGES IN TERRITORY POLITICS

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

North-south divide emerges in Territory, say CDU commentators

Three Charles Darwin University political commentators today warned of a
"north-south" divide emerging in Territory politics following the Martin
Government's sweeping return to power in last Saturday's Northern Territory
election.

Professor David Carment said it was quite likely that both major parties in
the Territory could be led by a woman, with Jodeen Carney emerging as front
runner to take over from defeated Opposition Leader Denis Burke.

Political commentator Dr Bill Wilson said Labor's anti-social behaviour
package may have helped it retain power, but in the long run the proposal
could alienate voters.

Law lecturer and former ALP Member for Millner, Ken Parish said there would
now be increased pressure from within Labor Party ranks for the Government
to increase the pace of reform.

The Labor Government appears to be heading for up to 18 seats in the
25-seat Legislative Assembly, with the opposition Country Liberal Party
likely to hold six, and one Independent.

Professor Carment said: "Ms Carney, who holds the seat of Araluen in
Central Australia, was the only sitting CLP member to record a swing in his
or her favour. She has often been spoken of as a possible leader of the CLP
and she certainly appears now to be the only person capable of leading the
party.

"It is also interesting that while this result was a great personal triumph
for Clare Martin and she obviously has widespread appeal in Darwin, this is
less of a case in Alice Springs. There appears to be a real Territory
political divide emerging between the two centres."

Dr Wilson said both sides would have to address this divide. "However, the
CLP is likely to lose more members as a result of this defeat and it will
have to work hard to make up any ground in the next four years. Already
there are suggestions that the National Party may enter Territory
politics," he said.

Dr Wilson and Professor Carment also said Labor's anti-social behaviour
package may have helped it retain power, but in the long run the proposal
could seriously alienate indigenous voters.

Dr Wilson said:  "I think Labor will have to work hard to head off the
suggestion of an Aboriginal party (made yesterday by head of the Yilli
Rreung Regional Council, Kimberley Hunter). I was surprised by the margin
of Labor's win and I am not sure that their campaign was as good as the
result suggests. I think it was a case of an 'Anybody but Burke' result."

Professor Carment added: "There is now no such thing as a safe seat in the
NT parliament. Labor seems to have spent much more money on the campaign
than the CLP and anecdotal evidence suggests many CLP candidates did not
campaign hard enough."

Mr Parish said: "There has been suppressed internal ALP dissent at the slow
pace of reform during the Government's first term. For instance, the party
has avoided having a party conference for the past two years to avoid an
appearance of disunity.

"Now, however, with an increased majority, there will be added pressure
from within for the Government to quicken its pace of reform."



Professor Carment, Dr Wilson and Mr Parish are available for interview


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K