Labor survives Australia's first coronavirus election and claims victory in the Northern Territory - but may struggle to form a majority government
- Labor has retained government at the Northern Territory election on Saturday
- Counting of votes will continue on Sunday, but Michael Gunner claimed victory
- Labor got 38.9 per cent of primary vote to Country Liberal Party's 31.8 per cent
- Mr Gunner's team was on track to take at least 12 seats in the 25-seat assembly
- But NT Labor will need to win a crucial 13th seat to form a majority government
Labor has survived the first major political test of the COVID-19 pandemic by retaining government at the Northern Territory election.
Counting of votes will continue on Sunday, but chief minister Michael Gunner told supporters in a late-night speech he would lead a Labor government.
'Labor is in front on the votes, Labor is in front on the seats and tonight I can tell you I am very confident Labor will form the next government of the Northern Territory,' he said.
Counting of votes will continue on Sunday, but chief minister Michael Gunner told supporters in a late-night speech he would lead a Labor government
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison (right) and Mark Monaghan are seen at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin
He paid tribute to health workers, police and other frontline staff who had helped the NT get through the pandemic with only 33 cases of COVID-19 and no deaths making it 'one of the safest places in the world'.
'2020 - bloody hell,' he said.
'It's not over yet. But for me, for our team, the most important battle of 2020 is not a contest between political parties.
'It is a bigger fight, a fight that affects all of us, that requires all our effort to keep protecting Territorians through this crisis, the fight to keep our communities safe, to keep our small businesses open, to keep our people in work, the fight to save lives and save jobs. '
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On Saturday night, Labor secured 38.9 per cent of the primary vote to the Country Liberal Party's 31.8 per cent.
Mr Gunner's team was on track to take at least 12 seats in the 25-seat assembly, despite a 3.3 per cent swing against it.
But Labor scrutineers expected the 13th seat to be secured, delivering a majority.
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner is seen at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin
Despite strict rules on social distancing being the norm across the country, Mr Gunner hugged and shook hands with supporters in Darwin
Despite strict rules on social distancing being the norm across the country, Mr Gunner hugged and shook hands with supporters in Darwin.
Country Liberal Party leader Lia Finocchiaro stepped up to the podium in a positive mood, having lifted her party's stocks from well above the two seats it took into the election.
It could pick up as many as nine seats, but appeared on track to clinch seven.
The 35-year-old lawyer said she had started a 'new generation' for the CLP.
'There are still a lot of votes to count, but if there is one thing I know it is that the CLP is back.'
NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner arrives to Labor's election headquarters in Darwin on Saturday
Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison is seen with supporters at Labor's election headquarters in Darwin
The Territory Alliance formed by former chief minister Terry Mills was struck a blow with the party leader on track to lose his seat of Blain ending two decades in politics.
However Mr Mills was not formally conceding on Saturday night and remained positive that the NT needed an alternative to the major parties.
Territory Alliance could win at least one seat.
Labor leader Mr Gunner has faced both criticism and praise for his tough stance on COVID-19 border closures.
He comfortably retained his inner-Darwin seat.
A formal declaration of the poll is not scheduled until September 7, three days after postal votes close.
In a sign of the impact of COVID-19 fears, only about 20 per cent of voters cast their ballots on election day itself.
