Katherine's promised sand-bottomed swimming lagoon may be sunk for now after yesterday's Federal Election but our local vet is on the march to Canberra.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dr Sam McMahon appears to have easily won her quota to head to Canberra as the Territory's only member of the returned Morrison Government.
In the aftermath of the largely unexpected result, many people are now considering promises made during the campaign which could now be delivered.
Dr McMahon, as the CLP's number one candidate will be joined in the Senate by the ALP's Malarndirri McCarthy who also looks to have to be safely returned.
Voting is still continuing with some booth results not returned yet in the sprawling electorate.
But the Territory will likely have two Labor members in the House of Representatives, the long-serving Warren Snowdon in Lingiari and Luke Gosling in Solomon.
The CLP's Jacinta Price has given Mr Snowdon a fight for the seat.
Primary votes cast in Katherine reveal the two main booths were shared although Ms Price came out stronger in pre-polls.
She also secured most primaries at Tindal.
Dr McMahon will be called on to provide a similar role to the man she replaced, Nigel Scullion, as the Territory's only Government representative in either house.
The result may have wide repercussions for the NT's ALP Government which was hoping for a more sympathetic ear in Canberra.
There has been no hint of a financial bail-out from the Liberal Government and Prime Minister Scott Morrison even described the Gunner Government as the worst economic stewards in the nation during the campaign.
The two main parties in the main matched each others promises during the campaign.
The $11 million to top up the spent for the flood levies and Katherine East development (to total $22 million).
The Country Liberals confirmed funding to Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service during the campaign.
Labor was planning to scrap the Northern Australia Development Fund and spend up to $1.5 billion for proposed pipelines across Queensland's Galilee and Bowen basins while another line connecting the Beetaloo basin to Darwin and across to the east coast.
The new fund was also going to sink $1 billion into tourism projects across northern Australia.
Both parties promised to fast track fracking although there is some interest in case of a minority Morrison Government whether climate change arguments from the independents may be an issue.
As we suggested, the $5m for a new Katherine water park was promised by the now defeated ALP when deputy leader Tanya Plibersek came calling in April.
Katherine Mayor Fay Miller said residents have been asking for improved facilities at the pool for 15 years.
By the way, the public will have their first chance to hear what is proposed for the $5m in the kitty for the sportsgrounds before the Katherine Town Council meeting on May 28 from 5pm.
There was $200,000 promised from the CLP for number two oval.
There were other promises made during the campaign which will be closely examined now with the added benefit of having a member of the government actually from Katherine.
Counting will continue today as the Morrison Government edges closer to forming government in its own right and the ALP looks for a new leader.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.