FORMER long-serving Katherine MP Willem Westra Van Holthe conceded defeat in the NT election after final votes were counted on Friday.
Writing from overseas, he posted the following message on his Facebook page, conceding defeat in the Division of Katherine and thanking his supporters.
Today marks a turning point in my life as I concede my position as the Member for Katherine.
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The General Election on August 27 saw me return 1432 primary votes against the Labor candidate with only 1270 votes.
Unfortunately, the minor parties and Independents bled away vital primary votes, with the majority of preferences falling to the Labor Party.
To be perfectly honest, I knew this election would be close but I didn't expect to be on the wrong side of the ledger.
Although the difference between the two votes was small, the people of Katherine have voted for change.
I just hope that the people of Katherine are ultimately happy with the way their votes fell and what will flow from their voting choices over the next few years.
To those who have supported me over the past eight years and through the latest election, I say a warm and heartfelt "thank you."
I've been honoured to represent the people of Katherine and I'm proud of my achievements, for both Katherine and the Northern Territory.
Notable among those achievements, the resumption of live cattle trading with Indonesia and helping to establish a new market with Vietnam along with local achievements such as investments in our sporting infrastructure in Katherine, are just a few of those about which I am most proud.
I also want to thank Kit Jolley and a small number of the Katherine CLP Branch for their unwavering support. For some others in my branch … be careful what you wish for!
Everything I've done has been with the support of an amazing woman, in Pat Witte. In my electorate office, Pat's always had my back and been the glue that held me together. Thanks Pat, for everything.
Most likely, I will now just sit back and observe what happens in Katherine and the NT under this new paradigm.
I think most people know what my concerns are for Katherine under a Labor government. Let's see what happens.
A good start will be for your new Member to commit to the election promises I made during the campaign, including completing GYRACC and the very visionary Skywalk project at Nitmiluk.
I wish Sandra Nelson well.
I wish the people of Katherine well.
Kind regards,
- Willem