'Better NT for everyone': leader unveils first cabinet

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has kept her election promises to tackle crime by taking on the crucial police portfolio and introducing a new ministry to accelerate development in the Northern Territory.

Ms Finocchiaro pledged she would take on the police, fire and emergency services ministry in the lead up to the Country Liberal Party's crushing election victory, where it won 17 of 25 seats.

The Chief Minister has also given herself defence and a newly created role of Territory Coordinator, which she promised during the election campaign would speed up development and funding approvals.

The role was first proposed by Ms Finocchiaro in opposition in 2020, but was voted down by the Labor government.

She said the Territory voted for change and her new cabinet would focus on rebuilding the economy and addressing crime after the landslide victory against Labor on August 24.

“The CLP has been given a mandate to deliver change for all Territorians and our new cabinet will ensure a better Northern Territory for everyone,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“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."

Gerard Maley will be deputy chief minister and take on mining and energy as well as the renewables portfolios.

Ms Finocchiaro made good on another election promise by putting youth detention back into corrections. The critical ministry will be overseen by Mr Maley.

Youth detention was split from corrections and moved to the Department of Territory Families in 2016 after recommendations from a Royal Commission in to Youth Detention and Child Protection in the NT.

First-time politician Robyn Cahill will take on child and families and child protection, which have been split in to two ministries.

Former corrections superintendent Bill Yan will be tasked with recouping Labor's $11 billion in debt after he was announced Treasurer.

Despite having practising lawyers in the ranks of the government, Attorney-General has gone to former financial advisor Marie-Clare Boothby.

Former police officer Steve Edgington will be responsible for Aboriginal affairs as well as housing, local government and community development.

Local Government Authority NT president Kon Vatskalis said the organisation was excited to work with a new minister and government he said saw the value of local decision-making.

“CLP has indicated they have a focus on delivering best-practice local government and a desire for grassroots collaboration and consultation,” he said.

The new ministry will be sworn in at Government House on Tuesday morning, but all media has been excluded from the event apart from the ABC. The Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet was contacted for comment.

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