Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro MLA announces NT Cabinet

The Northern Territory’s Chief Minister, the Hon Lia Finocchiaro has announced the members of Cabinet who will govern the Territory following the recent election. 

 

The Hon Jo-Anne (Jo) Hersey has been appointed as the Minister for Early Education, Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for Public Service.

 

Minister Finocchiaro is the 14th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, alongside Gerard Maley in the position of Deputy Chief Minister.

 

“It is an honour and a privilege to be the new Chief Minister,” Ms  Finocchiaro. 

 

“The CLP has been given a mandate to deliver change for all Territorians and we look forward to delivering this change to make a better Territory for everyone.”

 

“Territorians voted for change for the better and our work has begun to move the Territory forward, to deal with the root issues of crime, grow the economy and restore our unique Territory lifestyle.”

 

Hon William (Bill) Yan has been appointed Treasurer, as well as Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure and Minister for Housing Construction.

 

Hon Marie-Clare Boothby will serve as the Territory’s Attorney-General, as well as being the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Major Events, Minister for Parks and Wildlife and the Minister for Racing.

 

Along with the changes to Cabinet Minister Finocchiaro has made ‘sweeping changes’ to the public sector which underpins many aspects of governmental policy implementation. Under the changes, the number of key agencies will increase from 12 to 18.

 

“We are determined to lead a government which is effective, coordinated and focused on the priorities of Territorians,” she said.

 

“A strong public service is vital in delivering the changes the Northern Territory and its people need.”

 

Minister Finocchiaro believes the changes will enable services to be more agile and responsive. 

 

Education Department head Karen Weston has been removed from her position as part of the shake up, following an investigation in 2023 by The Australian which found that the Northern Territory’s education department was “offering an education so under-resourced that most students failed to meet the minimum standards of literacy and numeracy.”

 

“I take this opportunity to thank Ms Karen Weston for her service to education in the Northern Territory, as well as Dr Marco Briceno for his service to Health, who will continue to bring his professional expertise to the frontline in health. I also thank Mr Craig Graham for his long service as Under Treasurer and I am pleased that he will take on a strategic advisory role to support the development of the Middle Arm Sustainability Development precinct as a major driver of the Territory’s economy,” Minister Finocchiaro said. 

 

Full changes can be viewed through the Administrative Arrangement Order.