A Labor MP says he hasn't had a drinking binge since making a sex slur to a female security guard, who has letter-dropped his Northern Territory electorate ahead of Saturday's poll.
Environment Minister Len Kiely was exiled to the backbench in 2006 after making lewd comments in a government corporate box.
When guard Sondra McDonald refused Mr Kiely alcohol, she said the territory's then deputy speaker told her he had a long tongue and could use it to make her a very happy woman.
A public apology followed and the MP for Sanderson took a back seat in political life until he was promoted last November in a ministerial reshuffle.
Outraged by his promotion, Ms McDonald last night letter-dropped his electorate.
"On being told the free government quota (of alcohol) had been reached, Mr Kiely became upset and proceeded to sexually harass me," says her handwritten letter which urged voters to "put Labor last" on their ballot papers.
As the clock ticks down to the August 9 election, Mr Kiely was again forced to defend his parliamentary credentials.
"I've worked hard over the last two years to change my behaviour," he said.
"It has been successful." Mr Kiely said he had undergone counselling and had only "drunk responsibly" since the incident.
NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson stood by his environment minister, who holds Sanderson by a 10 percent margin.
"Everybody deserves a second chance," he said.
"I'm confident that Len will continue to be a good local member."
The news came as pundits and pollsters predicted a Labor win, with Centrebet's media chief and political analyst Neil Evans saying Labor was the "raging hot favourite".
He said the CLP was "virtually out of the contest".
A monster bet from a Darwin punter - who placed $100,000 ($NZ127,877.23) on a Labor win - caused Centrebet to tighten its odds on Labor winning the NT poll to $1.09 while the odds on a Country Liberals win eased to $6.25.
Meanwhile, NT Treasurer Delia Lawrie released the government's election costings and accused the Country Liberals of "spending like drunken sailors".
"(Opposition Leader) Terry Mills has been on an election spending spree," she told reporters.
"He will blow the budget by $83 million."
Labor has offered about $170 million worth of sweeteners during the 19-day campaign.
Official treasury costings will be released tomorrow.
