Former Solomon MP Natasha Griggs named as new Country Liberal Party president

Former Solomon MP Natasha Griggs has replaced the former Northern Territory Chief Minister Shane Stone as president of the Country Liberal Party, 16 months after he took the role. Here’s why.

Natasha Griggs and Shane Stone in 2021. Griggs will replace Stone as Country Liberal Party president. Picture: Supplied.

Former Northern Territory federal politician and Christmas and Cocos Keeling Islands Administrator Natasha Griggs has replaced Shane Stone as Country Liberal Party president.

Mr Stone, 74, stood aside after one year and four months in the role, during which time he was widely credited with helping to steer the CLP to its landslide election victory – ending the party’s long years in the political wilderness.

Ms Griggs was elected as federal member for the Top End Solomon electorate in 2010, and held the seat for two terms until 2016.

She was administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories from 2017 to 2022, and is president of the NT Chamber of Commerce.

Ms Griggs said her focus leading the party’s organisational wing was helping to win the two federal seats currently held by Labor.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Shane for his enormous contribution to conservative politics throughout his career,” she said.

“The Country Liberals membership through its delegates endorsed me taking on the president role until our Annual Conference later this year.

“My priority is the upcoming federal election supporting our hardworking candidate Lisa Bayliss for Solomon, Lisa Siebert for Lingiari as well as our current extraordinary Senator for the Northern Territory Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

“It is crucial that we build on the outstanding work of our Chief Minister Lia Finnochiaro and her team, providing Territorians with a real alternative at the next federal election.”

On Saturday night a gala dinner celebrating the CLP’s 50th birthday attracted more than 250 business leaders and party faithful, and raised almost $300,000 for the federal election campaign.

The event also served as an unofficial send off for Mr Stone, who told the NT News he was moving back to his Brisbane home to be closer to his children.

“I’m retiring,” he said. “I came back for 12 months and spent 18 months, it’s my third time back and I turn 75 this year.

“I achieved what I set out to do and we’ve elected a CLP government.

“The timing to go is perfect for me.”

CLP party president is an unpaid position.

Originally published as Former Solomon MP Natasha Griggs named as new Country Liberal Party president