Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro standing alongside her new cabinet in front of Darwin’s Parliament House. Photo: Facebook.
A 17-member Cabinet has been announced by the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, marking the Country Liberal Party’s (CLP) second time in government over the past two decades.
Last week the newly-elected leader met with her counterparts in Canberra for the National Cabinet meeting, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced a $4.7 billion package over five years to end gender-based violence.
Standing beside her new team, the Chief Minister welcomed this contribution and said her party would deliver on the change it had promised for Territorians.
“Community safety is my government’s first priority, and we are on track to deliver our promised reforms on bail and increased police powers in the first week of parliament,” said Ms Finocchiaro. “This includes keeping women and children safe and supporting police and other frontline services to reduce crime, including domestic violence.
“Rebuilding the economy and restoring the Territory’s reputation as a competitive destination to live, work, visit and invest is a key focus of our new Cabinet.
“Territorians voted for change for the better and our Cabinet will lead the Territory forward.”
On top of leading the NT Government, Ms Finocchiaro has taken on the ministries of Police, Defence, Territory Coordinator, Fire and Emergency Services.
Her deputy opposition leader for the past four years, Gerard Maley, will be Deputy Chief Minister but will not be in charge of any previously held portfolios.
Instead, he has assumed responsibility for Renewables, Recreational Fishing, Mining and Energy, along with Agriculture and Fisheries. The Member for Nelson is also going to be in charge of building new prisons as Corrections Minister, which the CLP has promised due to a record number of inmates.
Former Central Australian prison officer and Member for Namatjira, William Yan, is now heading up Housing Construction, Logistics and Infrastructure. However his main task as Treasurer will be in leading the charge to slash NT’s rising debt, which is expected to hit a record $11.6 billion next financial year.
Member for Brennan, Marie-Clare Boothby, will be Attorney-General. The former financial adviser is also managing Racing, Major Events, Tourism and Hospitality, Parks and Wildlife.
The new Leader of Government Business will be Member for Barkly, Steven Edgington, whose portfolio also includes Mental Health, Alcohol Policy, Aboriginal Affairs, Essential Services, Housing, Local Government and Community Development.
Much of his focus is going to be centred on the Ministry of Health and the Royal Darwin Hospital, which has experienced over 40 emergency code yellows since 2020.
The new Cabinet includes Steve Edgington, Marie-Clare Boothby, Jinson Charls, Jo Hersey, Lia Finocchiaro, Bill Yan, Robyn Cahill, Gerard Maley and Josh Burgoyne.
Allegations of water licence mismanagement within the NT’s cotton industry faced by the former government will now be an issue for the new Minister for Water Resources, Joshua Burgoyne . He is now also Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, along with Corporate and Digital Development.
Having held the shadow portfolio in opposition, Jo-Anne Hersey will be Minister for Education and Training. In addition, the Member for Katherine since 2020 is leading Early Education and the Public Service ministries.
Robyn Cahill is taking on a massive load, which will require all her experience in health and leadership roles at the Darwin Private Hospital, Australian Medical Association and Palmerston GP Super Clinic. Her responsibilities now include:
- Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations
- Minister for International Education, Migration and Population
- Minister for Workforce Development
- Minister for Advanced Manufacturing
- Minister for Children and Families
- Minister Child Protection
- and Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence.
After moving to the NT in 2015, Jinson Charls from Kerala, India has worked as a registered nurse and in several health leadership roles. Now the Member for Sanderson is:
- Minister for People, Sport and Culture
- Minister for Disability
- Minister for Arts
- Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality
- Minister for Multicultural Affairs
- and Minister for Veterans.
Chief Minister Finocchiaro has also announced Andrew Mackay as Government Whip.
