In a rousing Townsville speech , Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, who had just flown in from the Northern Territory , told the jubilant gathering at the election HQ ( a former Cybernetics office ) of presumptive Member for Herbert , Cathy O'Toole, that just 2000 votes in five northern seats could see the Labor Party governing Australia . During the evening Shorten examined alluring tattoos , was involved in selfies galore, one with somebody who could have been the sister of Danny the Red or Che Guevara and tasty pizzas went down the hatch along with liquid refreshments .
Shorten said the ALP had won the two NT House of Representative seats, ousting the Member for Solomon , Natasha Griggs , in the process . Another victory for the ALP in the Territory had been the Turnbull government agreeing to have Indigenous involvement in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into juvenile detention following the revelations on Four Corners .
It was wonderful , he continued , that Ms O'Toole had won the seat for the ALP, the first time in 20 years. In her speech, she said the fact that the ALP had produced 100 policies which it put to the people had assisted her grassroots campaign , which involved contacting some 30,000 people . When extending thanks to people who helped her in the campaign , Ms O'Toole mentioned by name her many family members , which a person called out represented the 37 votes by which she had won the count .
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Magnetic Island ALP branch members with Cathy and Bill .
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The strong involvement and support by unions in the campaign was raised and the state ALP Member for Townsville , Scott Stewart, attended .
The way the shambolic Country Liberal Party government in the Northern Territory has performed it is likely that the ALP will win at the election later this month .More inside news later.
