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Greens could draw Labor votes in marginal NT seat of Solomon

The Greens top the ballot draw for the seat of Solomon, and say that may help them lure disaffected Labor voters - which could tighten the race.

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Source: AAP


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With the Northern Territory's marginal seat of Solomon a narrow race between Labor and the incumbent Country Liberals, landing the first spot on the ballot may lure some Labor voters towards the Greens, its candidate says.

In the ballot for the House of Representatives drawn on Friday, Todd Williams landed first place followed by the Country Liberals' incumbent Natasha Griggs in third, while Labor's Luke Gosling will be listed ninth of 11 candidates.

Ms Griggs currently holds the seat by 1.4 per cent.

"It will make it really easy for voters to find out where we are, and even lure across some of the crusty old parties' voters," Mr Williams said.

When asked if he thought the Greens might cut in on Labor's share of the vote, he said, "I'd like to think so ... it's a bit of a glib comment but it certainly doesn't hurt to have the donkey votes."

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He told AAP there was a lot of disaffection with the major parties and "people are anxious the Greens are taking votes from both sides of politics".

In 2013 Mr Williams scored about 8 per cent of the vote, but he hopes to double it this year.

"Why wouldn't we? We're very ambitious and motivated," he said.

The party will finalise its preferences later on Friday, but Mr Williams said he couldn't see why it wouldn't follow precedent and put Labor ahead of the Liberal party.

Australia is on a "war footing with the climate" at the moment, he said, making it critical to move away from a fossil fuel-based economy and talk about renewable growth.

Mr Gosling said he was proud to stand for a second time for Solomon, having lost out to Ms Griggs in 2013.

Labor fared better for the NT's second, geographically enormous seat of Lingiari, with longtime incumbent Warren Snowdon drawing second place, behind Chris Righton of the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party.

Rob Hoad from the Greens was in eighth place, while the Country Liberals' Tina MacFarlane bottomed out in the ninth and final spot.


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