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Labor wins ‘thumping’ victory in NT election

Mr Gunner said Territorians were "good people who deserve good governance."

Mr Gunner said Territorians were "good people who deserve good governance." Photo: ABC

Labor has won the Northern Territory election, with a likely 15 MPs in the 25-seat parliament.

Chief Minister Adam Giles conceded defeat blaming disunity in his party for an electoral “thumping”.

The ALP is hoping to win as many as 17 of the seats, while the CLP will be reduced to just four, according to the ABC election website.

Independents are also expected to have four seats.

Mr Giles conceded defeat and has called Mr Gunner to congratulate him.

“Tonight, no doubt, is a landslide, it’s a thumping. I don’t think anyone would describe it as anything different,” he told supporters in Alice Springs.

“Politically speaking tonight’s result is a lesson that disunity is death in politics.”

Mr Giles said his government was leaving behind a better Northern Territory.

“Most definitely the Territory is in a better place on the 27th of August 2016 than it was on 25th August 2012,” he said.

But he acknowledged the failures of the CLP, which has been wracked by controversy, splits and scandals, over the past four years.

“It’s a result of looking after one’s self rather than thinking about the people.”

Mr Giles said he was not sure if he had won his seat of Braitling, based in Alice Springs.

“We will wait and see and I’m sure that will come out on the news tonight in the next day or so,” he said.

Adam Giles

Chief Minister Adam Giles has conceded defeat to Labour. Photo: ABC

In accepting the win, Mr Gunner said Territorians were “good people who deserve good governance and that’s what we will give them.”

“They have rejected the chaos of the last four years and they have chosen to place their trust in Labor,” he said.

He vowed Labor would provide restore confidence in the Northern Territory.

“We have got a plan to deliver certainty in the NT and to restore confidence in the NT,”

“There is a cost to chaos and there is a reward for stability.”

However, he said he would work with the CLP and independents because “they are not our enemies. They are Territorians and I will work with them.”

Mr Gunner thanked outgoing chief minister Adam Giles, who rang him earlier to concede.

He also thanked his team and new MPs, and said they “must see tonight as the opportunity for the next four years.”

“In the Territory you can dream big and I’m excited about the future of the NT. We do face tough times but we are Territorians. We weather challenges together.”

– with AAP, ABC

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