“For nearly two decades, Territory residents have resisted rising crime, a declining economy and the erosion of our once iconic way of life.

“But tomorrow is the beginning of a new day and a new chapter.”

Chief Minister Eva Lawler trailed CLP candidate Clinton Howe, marking a crushing loss in her own seat of Drysdale, with a swing of 22.6 per cent based on the two-party preference votes.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get across the line tonight. It appears I’ve lost my seat and I know a number of our great candidates and great members have also lost their seats,” Lawler said Saturday as he conceded defeat.

“So, an absolutely sad night for Labor, but to all of you who are here, the people who campaigned so hard and for so long for us, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Former Prime Minister and Labor MP Natasha Fyles called the result disappointing but paid tribute to Lawler.

“Palmerston is a tough one. She was the first person to be re-elected as a Labor member on redistribution, but the other factors with the swing against Labor also contributed to that,” Fyles told ABC Television.

“But that should not be at the expense of the hard work she has done.”

In the Fannie Bay region, things looked promising for Greens candidate Suki Dorras-Walker, who took the lead in the CLP in the early election.

A victory there would be the first time the Greens have won in that area.

In the seat of Mulka, independent candidate Yingiya Mark Guyula was on the verge of defeating the CLP, promising to represent the voters of his country.

Key issues raised during the election campaign included the environment, crime and the cost of living.

“It looks like a substantial defeat and it looks like the CLP will win with a majority and perhaps even get a substantial majority,” Green told ABC Television.

MONKEY