CLP by-election victory proves little

CLP by-election victory proves little

By Dave Murphy

DARWIN — The Northern Territory's chief minister, Denis Burke, claims that the Country Liberal Party (CLP) victory in the March 11 Port Darwin by-election shows that Territorians approve of mandatory sentencing, a claim rejected by the law's opponents.

Port Darwin is a safe CLP seat; in 1997, former chief minister Shane Stone won 61% of the primary vote there. On March 11, the CLP won just 49% of the primary vote.

The by-election revealed the growing disillusionment amongst voters. Nearly 1500 people, one-third of the electorate, did not vote at all. They face a $100 fine.

While the government sought a hardline image on home invasions and "anti-social" behaviour, it could provide no evidence that mandatory sentencing has reduced home invasions. According to the NT Greens' Port Darwin candidate, Andy Gough, "House invasion is an emotive issue and the government played on those emotions. It used the misinformation and fear tactics it has used in every election."

From GLW issue 398