Opposition Leader Terry Mills conceded defeat in the crucial seat after counting put Labor ahead by 92 votes with just 150 postal ballots left to be tallied.

The seat had pitted Labor candidate Michael Gunner up against high profile CLP candidate, former Darwin Lord Mayor Garry Lambert.

But a 9pc swing against Labor meant the battle for the seat formerly held by Labor Chief Minister Clare Martin became the key to determining the overall outcome.

Had the Country Liberal Party won Fannie Bay, a hung parliament would have resulted, with independent Gerry Wood tipped to side with the CLP to take power from Labor.

But victory for Labor now means Chief Minister Paul Henderson has a team of 13 in parliament, with the CLP holding 11 seats, plus the one independent.