# Results of the 1987 Northern Territory general election

Northern Territory general election, 7 March 1987 Legislative Assembly
<< 1983–1990 >> :
| Enrolled voters | Enrolled voters | 74,633 | | | | |
| Votes cast | Votes cast | 53,127 | | Turnout | 71.2% | –10.4% |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,199 | | Informal | 4.1% | +1.1% |
| Summary of votes by party |||||||
| Party | Party | Primary votes | % | Swing | Seats | Change |
| | Country Liberal | 20,074 | 39.4% | –9.4% | 16 | – 3 |
| | Labor | 18,307 | 36.0% | +0.4% | 6 | ± 0 |
| | NT Nationals | 9,058 | 17.8% | +17.8% | 1 | + 1 |
| | Independent | 3,489 | 6.9% | +2.5% | 2 | + 2 |
| Total | Total | 50,928 | | | 25 | |
| Two-party-preferred |||||||
| | Country Liberal | | 57.3% | –3.8% | | |
| | Labor | | 42.7% | +3.8 | | |
This is a list of electoral division results for the Northern Territory 1987 General Election in Australia.

## Results by electoral division
### Arafura

1987 Northern Territory general election: Arafura :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Stan Tipiloura | 1,211 | 63.9 | +13.1 |
| | Country Liberal | Dorothy Fox | 402 | 21.2 | -10.6 |
| | NT Nationals | Peter Watton | 281 | 14.8 | +14.8 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,894 | 93.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 132 | 6.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,026 | 64.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Stan Tipiloura | 1,286 | 67.9 | +5.9 |
| | Country Liberal | Dorothy Fox | 608 | 32.1 | -5.9 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +5.9 | |

### Araluen

1987 Northern Territory general election: Araluen :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Eric Poole | 871 | 43.6 | -18.1 |
| | Labor | Di Shanahan | 577 | 28.9 | +11.0 |
| | NT Nationals | Enzo Floreani | 550 | 27.5 | +27.5 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,998 | 97.3 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 55 | 2.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,053 | 77.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Eric Poole | 1,284 | 64.2 | -7.7 |
| | Labor | Di Shanahan | 714 | 35.7 | +7.7 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -7.7 | |

### Arnhem

1987 Northern Territory general election: Arnhem :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Wes Lanhupuy | 742 | 41.9 | -2.0 |
| | Country Liberal | John Hancock | 412 | 23.3 | -7.6 |
| | Independent | Bruce Foley | 368 | 20.8 | +20.8 |
| | NT Nationals | Brian Dalliston | 249 | 14.1 | +14.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,771 | 92.8 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 138 | 7.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,909 | 62.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Wes Lanhupuy | 976 | 55.1 | +4.1 |
| | Country Liberal | John Hancock | 795 | 44.9 | -4.1 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.1 | |

### Barkly

1987 Northern Territory general election: Barkly :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | NT Nationals | Ian Tuxworth | 729 | 37.9 | +37.9 |
| | Independent | Maggie Hickey | 581 | 30.2 | +30.2 |
| | Labor | Keith Hallett | 314 | 16.3 | -23.4 |
| | Country Liberal | Gary Smith | 301 | 15.6 | -44.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,925 | 94.4 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 114 | 5.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,039 | 65.8 | |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | NT Nationals | Ian Tuxworth | 972 | 50.5 | +50.5 |
| | Independent | Maggie Hickey | 953 | 49.5 | +49.5 |
| | NT Nationals gain from Country Liberal | NT Nationals gain from Country Liberal | Swing | N/A | |

### Braitling

1987 Northern Territory general election: Braitling :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Roger Vale | 969 | 63.5 | -14.3 |
| | Labor | Mike Alsop | 307 | 20.1 | -2.1 |
| | NT Nationals | Max Stewart | 249 | 16.3 | +16.3 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,525 | 96.8 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 51 | 3.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,576 | 64.4 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Roger Vale | 1,152 | 75.5 | -2.5 |
| | Labor | Mike Alsop | 373 | 25.5 | +2.5 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -2.5 | |

### Casuarina

1987 Northern Territory general election: Casuarina :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Nick Dondas | 1,109 | 44.3 | -21.1 |
| | Labor | John Reeves | 1,053 | 42.0 | +7.4 |
| | NT Nationals | Giuseppe Nicolosi | 343 | 13.7 | +13.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,505 | 96.8 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 83 | 3.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,588 | 81.5 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Nick Dondas | 1,353 | 54.0 | -11.0 |
| | Labor | John Reeves | 1,152 | 46.0 | +11.0 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -11.0 | |

### Fannie Bay

1987 Northern Territory general election: Fannie Bay :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Marshall Perron | 1,030 | 47.9 | -10.1 |
| | Labor | John Waters | 614 | 28.6 | -9.8 |
| | NT Nationals | Stephen Marshall | 334 | 15.5 | +15.5 |
| | Independent | Strider | 88 | 4.1 | +4.1 |
| | Independent | Edward Osgood | 84 | 3.9 | +3.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,150 | 96.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 73 | 3.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,223 | 72.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Marshall Perron | 1,362 | 63.3 | +3.3 |
| | Labor | John Waters | 788 | 36.7 | -3.3 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | +3.3 | |

### Flynn

1987 Northern Territory general election: Flynn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Ray Hanrahan | 829 | 50.6 | -17.1 |
| | NT Nationals | Jacqueline Anderson | 412 | 25.1 | +25.1 |
| | Labor | John Omond | 399 | 24.3 | -4.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,640 | 96.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 56 | 3.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,696 | 63.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Ray Hanrahan | 1,132 | 69.0 | 0.0 |
| | Labor | John Omond | 508 | 31.0 | 0.0 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | 0.0 | |
* Two party preferred vote is estimated.

### Jingili

1987 Northern Territory general election: Jingili :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Rick Setter | 1,108 | 44.5 | -27.3 |
| | Labor | Bob Wharton | 936 | 37.6 | +9.4 |
| | NT Nationals | Harry Maschke | 444 | 17.9 | +17.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,488 | 96.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 89 | 3.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,577 | 80.8 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Rick Setter | 1,429 | 57.4 | -11.6 |
| | Labor | Bob Wharton | 1,059 | 42.6 | +11.6 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | +11.6 | |

### Karama

1987 Northern Territory general election: Karama :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Mick Palmer | 1,076 | 42.7 | |
| | Labor | Robyn Crompton | 959 | 38.1 | |
| | NT Nationals | Lionel Preston | 483 | 19.2 | |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,518 | 94.4 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 149 | 5.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,667 | 79.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Mick Palmer | 1,423 | 56.5 | -9.5 |
| | Labor | Robyn Crompton | 1,095 | 43.5 | +9.5 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -9.5 | |

### Katherine

1987 Northern Territory general election: Katherine :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Country Liberal | Mike Reed | 858 | 45.2 |
| | NT Nationals | Jim Forscutt | 545 | 28.7 |
| | Labor | Phil Maynard | 497 | 26.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,900 | 96.0 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 79 | 4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,979 | 73.2 |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Mike Reed | 1,062 | 55.9 |
| | NT Nationals | Jim Forscutt | 838 | 44.1 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |

### Koolpinyah

1987 Northern Territory general election: Koolpinyah :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Noel Padgham-Purich | 739 | 32.6 | +32.6 |
| | Labor | Peter Ivinson | 545 | 24.0 | +0.6 |
| | NT Nationals | David Loveridge | 497 | 21.9 | +21.9 |
| | Country Liberal | Pat Loftus | 488 | 21.5 | -41.0 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,269 | 98.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 43 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,312 | 78.0 | |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | Independent | Noel Padgham-Purich | 1,561 | 68.8 | +68.8 |
| | NT Nationals | David Loveridge | 708 | 31.2 | +31.2 |
| | Independent gain from Country Liberal | Independent gain from Country Liberal | Swing | N/A | |

### Leanyer

1987 Northern Territory general election: Leanyer :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Fred Finch | 1,105 | 43.0 | -22.9 |
| | Labor | David Lamb-Jenkins | 996 | 38.7 | +4.6 |
| | NT Nationals | David Wane | 471 | 18.3 | +18.3 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,572 | 97.1 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 77 | 2.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,649 | 78.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Fred Finch | 1,447 | 56.3 | -6.7 |
| | Labor | David Lamb-Jenkins | 1,125 | 43.7 | +6.7 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -6.7 | |

### Ludmilla

1987 Northern Territory general election: Ludmilla :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Col Firmin | 749 | 40.8 | -17.4 |
| | Labor | Chris McMah | 449 | 24.5 | -17.3 |
| | NT Nationals | Brian Thomas | 423 | 23.1 | +23.1 |
| | Independent | Sydney Cross | 213 | 11.6 | +11.6 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,834 | 96.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 65 | 3.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,899 | 63.5 | |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Col Firmin | 1,212 | 66.1 | |
| | NT Nationals | Brian Thomas | 622 | 33.9 | |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | N/A | |

### MacDonnell

1987 Northern Territory general election: MacDonnell :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Neil Bell | 1,116 | 72.6 | +19.1 |
| | Country Liberal | J. Davis | 315 | 20.5 | -17.5 |
| | NT Nationals | Ron Liddle | 106 | 6.9 | +6.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,537 | 94.7 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 86 | 5.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,623 | 52.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Neil Bell | 1,144 | 74.9 | +15.9 |
| | Country Liberal | J. Davis | 393 | 25.1 | -15.9 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +15.9 | |

### Millner

1987 Northern Territory general election: Millner :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Terry Smith | 1,293 | 61.9 | +9.4 |
| | Country Liberal | John Baban | 533 | 25.5 | -18.3 |
| | NT Nationals | Michael Foley | 263 | 12.9 | +12.9 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,089 | 97.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 65 | 3.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,154 | 72.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Terry Smith | 1,363 | 65.2 | +13.2 |
| | Country Liberal | John Baban | 726 | 34.8 | -13.2 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +13.2 | |

### Nhulunbuy

1987 Northern Territory general election: Nhulunbuy :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Dan Leo | 1,034 | 45.9 | -5.3 |
| | Country Liberal | Pam Steele-Wareham | 653 | 29.0 | -19.8 |
| | Independent | Pat Ellis | 429 | 19.0 | +19.0 |
| | NT Nationals | Deane Crowhurst | 139 | 6.2 | +6.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,255 | 97.4 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 60 | 2.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,315 | 68.8 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Dan Leo | 1,351 | 59.9 | +4.9 |
| | Country Liberal | Pam Steele-Wareham | 904 | 40.1 | -4.9 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +4.9 | |

### Nightcliff

1987 Northern Territory general election: Nightcliff :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Stephen Hatton | 1,181 | 58.5 | +4.3 |
| | Labor | John Rowell | 567 | 28.1 | +14.3 |
| | NT Nationals | Brian Brent | 272 | 13.5 | +13.5 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,020 | 96.2 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 79 | 3.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,099 | 67.7 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Stephen Hatton | 1,381 | 68.4 | +3.4 |
| | Labor | John Rowell | 630 | 31.6 | -3.4 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | +3.4 | |

### Palmerston

1987 Northern Territory general election: Palmerston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Barry Coulter | 1,429 | 53.2 | |
| | Labor | Tony Henry | 821 | 30.5 | |
| | NT Nationals | Michael Ting | 438 | 16.3 | |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,688 | 97.4 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 72 | 2.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,760 | 81.9 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Barry Coulter | 1,751 | 65.1 | -6.9 |
| | Labor | Tony Henry | 937 | 34.9 | +6.9 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -6.9 | |

### Port Darwin

1987 Northern Territory general election: Port Darwin :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Tom Harris | 975 | 53.2 | -15.4 |
| | Labor | Russell Kearney | 509 | 27.8 | -3.6 |
| | NT Nationals | James Maclean | 350 | 19.1 | +19.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,834 | 96.6 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 65 | 3.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,899 | 64.0 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Tom Harris | 1,231 | 67.1 | -0.9 |
| | Labor | Russell Kearney | 603 | 32.9 | +0.9 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -0.9 | |

### Sadadeen

1987 Northern Territory general election: Sadadeen :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Denis Collins | 762 | 41.3 | +41.3 |
| | Labor | Meredith Campbell | 451 | 24.4 | -5.1 |
| | Country Liberal | Shane Stone | 396 | 21.5 | -49.0 |
| | NT Nationals | Lynne Peterkin | 236 | 12.8 | +12.8 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,845 | 97.0 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 57 | 3.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,902 | 68.8 | |
| Two-candidate-preferred result ||||||
| | Independent | Denis Collins | 1,286 | 69.7 | |
| | Labor | Meredith Campbell | 559 | 30.3 | |
| | Independent gain from Country Liberal | Independent gain from Country Liberal | Swing | N/A | |

### Sanderson

1987 Northern Territory general election: Sanderson :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Daryl Manzie | 1,086 | 45.7 | -9.1 |
| | Labor | Peter McQueen | 917 | 38.6 | -6.6 |
| | NT Nationals | Lawrence Armstrong | 372 | 15.7 | +15.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,375 | 96.5 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 85 | 3.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,460 | 85.8 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Daryl Manzie | 1,368 | 57.6 | +3.6 |
| | Labor | Peter McQueen | 1,007 | 42.4 | -3.6 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | +3.6 | |

### Stuart

1987 Northern Territory general election: Stuart :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labor | Brian Ede | 698 | 55.0 | -9.3 |
| | Country Liberal | Jim Sinclair | 261 | 20.6 | -15.1 |
| | NT Nationals | Ian Drennan | 156 | 12.3 | +12.3 |
| | Independent | Vince Forrester | 154 | 12.1 | +12.1 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,269 | 83.8 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 234 | 16.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,514 | 55.3 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Labor | Brian Ede | 878 | 69.2 | +5.2 |
| | Country Liberal | Jim Sinclair | 391 | 30.8 | -5.2 |
| | Labor hold | Labor hold | Swing | +5.2 | |

### Victoria River

1987 Northern Territory general election: Victoria River :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Terry McCarthy | 936 | 58.4 | |
| | Labor | Leon White | 466 | 29.1 | |
| | NT Nationals | Ronald Wright | 130 | 8.1 | |
| | Independent | Lance Lawrence | 71 | 4.4 | |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,603 | 94.9 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 86 | 5.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,689 | 65.2 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Terry McCarthy | 1,072 | 66.9 | +2.9 |
| | Labor | Leon White | 531 | 33.1 | -2.9 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | +2.9 | |

### Wanguri

1987 Northern Territory general election: Wanguri :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Country Liberal | Don Dale | 1,002 | 41.3 | -15.5 |
| | Labor | Peter McNab | 836 | 34.5 | -0.2 |
| | NT Nationals | Graeme Bevis | 586 | 24.2 | +24.2 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,424 | 96.2 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 95 | 3.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,519 | 88.0 | |
| Two-party-preferred result ||||||
| | Country Liberal | Don Dale | 1,440 | 59.4 | -1.6 |
| | Labor | Peter McNab | 984 | 40.6 | +1.6 |
| | Country Liberal hold | Country Liberal hold | Swing | -1.6 | |