For the first time in its history, the Division of Katherine is in the hands of Territory Labor.
Long considered a conservative safe-haven for the CLP, the massive swing in last month’s Territory election have proved too strong.
It’s been a suspenseful two weeks with one count, two recounts and a painstaking wait for postal votes to come in.
Earlier in the week, after further counting of postal votes there were 28 votes dividing Ms Nelson and the CLP’s Willem Westra Van Holthe.
I’m excited for Katherine and I’m excited for Labor
- Member for Katherine, Sandra Nelson
Ms Nelson said all along she would not call it until the last vote was counted, and that point was reached Friday at midday when the remaining nine postal votes were counted.
Four went each way to the major parties with one vote exhausted.
Speaking from Darwin, Ms Nelson said she was overwhelmed with relief as well as pride in the people of Katherine.
“I can say it now… I have won the election,” she said.
“It feels absolutely fantastic and I have to say as the very first Labor member, I’m incredibly proud of Katherine.
“More than anything, I’m looking forward to showing the people of Katherine what a Labor member and government can do.”
She said during the campaign she heard the concerns of many residents, and the big one was that people felt the CLP had let them down.
“I am making a commitment to Katherine that I will be accessible, that I will listen to your concerns,” she said.
“The first thing I’ll be doing is cementing the relationship with the constituents and I can’t wait to truly represent them in parliament.
“I’m excited for Katherine and I’m excited for Labor.”
Ms Nelson acknowledged the hard work of other candidates.
“I acknowledge their hard work. I know they were just as passionate about this community as I am.”
The Division of Katherine was first created in 1987, replacing the abolished Elsey seat.
The division covers 7,428 km² and takes in the city of Katherine, as well as the RAAF Base Tindal and the Binjari Aboriginal Community.
Katherine’s first member, Mike Reed, was Deputy Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 1995 to 2001.
The seat saw a very large swing to the Australian Labor Party at the 2001 election.
Reed retired in 2003 and was succeeded at a by-election by Fay Miller, also of the CLP.
Ms Miller narrowly held onto her seat in the ALP's landslide victory of 2005, before retiring in 2008.
She was succeeded by Willem Westra van Holthe, who picked up a healthy swing and reverted Katherine to its traditional status as a safe CLP seat.
In the 2012 election Mr Westra van Holthe boosted his majority to 22.3 percent, making it the safest seat in the Territory.
