ACT election 2020: Labor's campaign could have put Canberrans to sleep - but that was no mistake

They banked on Canberrans valuing safety and security over change in uncertain times.

And the results that rolled through from 6.30pm on Saturday night showed they may have read the mood correctly.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr led a disciplined campaign free of major controversy and one that seemed largely cohesive.

It stayed free of gimmicks and Mr Barr positioned himself as a pair of steady hands. He was the picture of restraint on the campaign trail, keeping his temper in check and making sure the party's key messages of job creation and its successful management of the coronavirus pandemic was front and centre.

Labor went on the attack against Opposition Leader Alistair Coe, labelling him conservative and inexperienced, but has otherwise stuck to a largely positive message. Its campaign has verged on downright boring, but this was most likely by design. In an uncertain time people may not be keen to take a risk with a wildcard.

Barr appeared relaxed and confident as he held a morning media conference on Saturday morning. "We've avoided outbreaks, we've managed the territory with open borders through this most challenging of years," he said.

"As we look to the economic recovery, it's about jobs as the number-one priority but also investing in public services. We've been clear throughout the campaign that we have a way of funding our commitments.

"They are measured and they're affordable, most importantly we can be trusted to deliver them.

"I'm asking people who are yet to make up their mind, to consider voting for ACT Labor in this election, because we're the party you can trust to support your health, to protect your health during the pandemic."

Mr Barr said he would take full responsibility for Labor's campaign if the party lost. "But we've based our campaign on excellent research, on deep engagement with ACT voters, and an understanding of what this electorate wants from a territory government," he said.

Labor's two biggest election promises - to deliver five new nurse walk-in centres and a big battery network - were more about continuity than anything else. Progressive ideas like free healthcare and renewable energy are ones the party believes connect well with the Canberra electorate.

Labor has relied on voters disliking Alistair Coe's style and substance, believing Canberrans will recoil at the thought of a socially conservative leader. Traditional views of the parties' economic management skills have been reversed throughout the campaign.

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Mr Barr has presented himself as the cautious economic leader, claiming Mr Coe in contrast would be disastrous for the ACT's bottom line. He says the party's polling has shown the Liberals won't win on a pledge to freeze rates. Only 10 per cent of voters, who were mainly Liberals voters anyway, held rates as a key election issue, according to Mr Barr. He said labor's campaign was based on achievable commitments.

"Not pie in the sky, magic pudding stuff, not stunt man Boris Johnson campaign activities, and if that's considered playing it safe, I think in the middle of a pandemic, in a recession, that's what people want," he said. "They want a grown up in charge of the territory, not a stunt man."